Training camp begins on Wednesday, July 23.
The New England Patriots are back to work this week as they will hold their first training camp practice of the summer on Wednesday. With things now officially ramping up in preparation for the 2025-26 season, jobs are ready to be won throughout training camp.
Here are the top positional battles we’ll be watching on the practice fields.
Starting left guard
After remodeling their offensive line this offseason, the Patriots did not use any significant resources at the left guard spot. The lone addition at guard, veteran Wes Schweitzer, then retired during the offseason program. Who now will align next to rookie left tackle Will Campbell is one of the top question marks entering camp, although Cole Strange is the expected top candidate to begin the summer.
The competition will then truly begin once the pads come on. Sidy Sow and Caedan Wallace project as the top two options to push Strange out of the lineup, while Layden Robinson, Tyrese Robinson, Jack Conley, and Yasir Durant round out the depth chart.
Starting center
Unlike the left guard spot, the starting center position was fulfilled by the same player throughout OTAs and minicamp. That was veteran Garrett Bradbury, who signed a two-year deal with the Patriots in free agency. New England then, however, added Jared Wilson in the third-round of the NFL Draft.
While Wilson spent the spring limited with injury, he did not land on the Physically Unable to Perform list ahead of camp. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the talented 21-year-old now push Bradbury, who was the worst pass blocking center in football last season, as the summer rolls on.
Wide receiver depth
In a crowded wide receiver room, the Patriots will have to answer both positional and roster battles at the receiver spot. Unfortunately, injuries muddied the picture this spring and will continue to do so with Mack Hollins landing on the PUP list. Stefon Diggs does seem good-to-go from his ACL recovery, however, as he was in the building this weekend.
With a bubble that consists of Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and Efton Chism, their performances during the summer will ultimately decide roles in the offense and how much depth New England wants to keep at the position.
Third tight end
Neither of the Patriots’ UDFA or second-year tight ends separated themselves behind Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper this spring. But, they’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so over the next few weeks with Hooper set to miss time starting training camp on the PUP list.
If the Patriots are looking for more receiver upside, Jack Westover, who was given plenty of run in the spring, and Gee Scott would fit the bill. C.J. Dippre’s skillset will show up more-so in padded practices as an in-line blocker. And while it was a challenging spring for Jaheim Bell, perhaps his fit as an H-back separates himself from the group.
There’s also the possibility that none of the four become ‘winners’ of this battle and New England enters the year with just two tight ends on the 53-man roster before adding others to the practice squad.
Off-ball linebacker
Free agent addition Robert Spillane will rarely come off the field for the Patriots defense this season. But, his primary running mate along the second-level remains up in the air.
Jahlani Tavai was often in that role on early downs this spring before suffering a calf injury that landed him on the PUP list. Despite Tavai being one of the lone bigger bodies on the roster at the position, his snaps went to the more athletic Christian Elliss, who was retained in free agency.
Fellow free agent signing Jack Gibbens could also factor into the rotation due to his previous experience with Mike Vrabel in Tennessee, while Marte Mapu also began repping at linebacker this spring.
Secondary depth
New England’s starting secondary does not have major questions outside of health, which puts even a larger importance on the depth of this group.
At corner, Alex Austin appears to be the favorite for the CB4 role but just one spot could remain between Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial, Kobee Minor, and Miles Battle. Spots in the safety room will also be tight for the likes of Dell Pettus and Marcus Epps after the selection of Craig Woodson in the draft. As always, special teams will play a large role in these roster battles.