Drake Maye joining Patriots teammates for pre-training camp throwing session

A majority of the Patriots’ starting offense teamed up in Tampa recently.

The first practice of training camp is still more than two weeks away, but the New England Patriots are already in full preparation mode. The latest example comes via a throwing session in Tampa that was headlined by starting quarterback Drake Maye.

Maye, whose competitive spirits even ran high during his recent honeymoon, was joined by a significant part of New England’s projected starting offense.

Wide receivers Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Kyle Williams and Ja’Lynn Polk were part of the action as were running back Rhamondre Stevenson and tight end Hunter Henry. Backup QB Joshua Dobbs also participated.

The Patriots’ players finding ways to stay engaged during the summer break is nothing new.

Cornerback Christian Gonzalez and other members of the team’s defensive backfield recently participated in the DB Pro Retreat in Arlington, TX; defensive linemen including Keion White and Milton Williams were part of the Sack Summit in Las Vegas; Austin Hooper joined several of his his peers at the Tight End University in Nashville. Meanwhile, other players held self-organized workout sessions over the last few weeks.

The Patriots ended their offseason workout program on June 13 and are scheduled to start training camp on Wednesday, July 23. During the five-week summer break, they have to prepare for the upcoming season away from team supervision.

Head coach Mike Vrabel stressed the importance of those five weeks last month.

“It’s probably the five most important weeks of the offseason as far as I’m concerned, just in my history as a player and a coach,” he said. “It’s critical that they come back in shape, that they’re ready to go for training camp, that we’re prepared as coaches with the schedule, the installation and what we’re doing. The players have to hold up their end of the bargain to prepare for training camp.”