Daily news and links for Wednesday
TEAM TALK
- Patriots announce dates for Training Camp. Veterans set to report on Tuesday, July 22 with first public practice scheduled for Wednesday, July 23.
- Roster Move: Patriots place OL Wes Schweitzer on Reserve/Retired list.
- Evan Lazar shares 20 thoughts on the Patriots following mandatory minicamp. ‘After seeing it firsthand, Vrabel’s practices reflect his personality: high energy and competitive. The Patriots practiced at a crisp pace, where both sides of the ball built up to full-speed reps.’ More.
- Mike Dussault’s Minicamp Notes: Rookies make strides, Diggs itching for Training Camp. ‘Tuesday’s practice was another spirited session, with Christian Gonzalez’s effortless one-handed interception up the sideline serving as the play of the day.’
- Press Conferences: Mike Vrabel – Hunter Henry, Keion White, Stefon Diggs, Will Campbell, Efton Chism.
- Patriots Unfiltered player interviews: Anfernee Jennings (8 min. video) – Jaylinn Hawkins (7 min. video)
- Patriots Unfiltered: Minicamp Day 2 wrap-up show, Training Camp dates; More. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- Alex Barth’s Minicamp Notebook: Tight coverage. ‘There was a heavy focus on team drills, with more situational work like third down and red zone situations.’ More.
- Mark Daniels gives us 7 takeaways from the second/last day of Patriots minicamp. Drake Maye was up and down; RB Antonio Gibson feels the heat; pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson shines; Kicker battle; More.
- Mike D’Abate’s Minicamp Day 2 Takeaways. Offense spotlight: Maye-Henry connection continues to impress; Defense spotlight: Christian Gonzalez gets the jump on Drake Maye; More!
- Andrew Callahan’s Minicamp Day 2: Drake Maye cools late, Christian Gonzalez grabs INT; Attendance; Player of the day; QB corner; Studs: S Craig Woodson, LB Cam Riley; Duds: WRs Kyle Williams, Javon Baker; More!
- Taylor Kyles’ Mandatory Minicamp 2: Christian Gonzalez and the defense ended spring practices on a high note, dumping water on Drake Maye and the offense’s recent hot streak.
- NBC Boston crew’s Patriots minicamp recap: ‘Sloppier’ day for offense in final practice.
- Karen Guregian relays Mike Vrabel outlining his expectations for his players as they head into a 5-week break. Vrabel doesn’t necessarily consider the break as ‘downtime’.
- Sophie Weller puts together a 53-man roster projection. WRs Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker out.
- Cam Garrity identifies 3 shocking roster cuts the Patriots could make ahead of 2025 season: WR DeMario Douglas, LB Jahlani Tavai, and S Kyle Dugger. /Click for commentary.
- Mike D’Abate reports on how a healthy DT Christian Barmore is putting the NFL on notice.
- Alex Barth talks about Wes Schweitzer being moved to the reserve/retired list and what it means for the Pats at left guard. Plenty of options, plenty of time to fill the open roster spot. Mike Vrabel still evaluating the OL.
- Doug Kyed notes Mike Vrabel says the team monitors NFL-wide holdouts for potential trades.
- Nick O’Malley notes pass rusher Harold Landry III points out one downside to signing with the Pats: The traffic.
- Doug Kyed notes Stefon Diggs believes he can be the No. 1 option for the Pats coming off ACL tear.
- Karen Guregian will be watching the Stefon Diggs/Mike Vrabel dynamic. The Patriots are counting on Diggs toeing the line from here on out.
- Karen Guregian highlights Stefon Diggs on Mike Vrabel: ‘You want to run through a wall for him.’
- Sophie Weller tells us how Stefon Diggs broke the silence after his viral boat incident.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Gilberto Manzano (SI) 2025 NFL offseason winners and losers: Steelers, Cowboys, Raiders improve; Plus, Vikings and Jets show confidence in J.J. McCarthy and Justin Fields. Patriots in ‘winners’ category. /Click for commentary.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Best-and worst-case scenarios for every NFL team in 2025. ‘Patriots best-case: Drake Maye confirms himself as the face of the franchise with Stefon Diggs as a safety valve, and Mike Vrabel’s touch maximizes a reloaded defense, vaulting the Pats all the way back into the playoffs. Worst-case: Maye’s big-play upside is overshadowed by loose ball control alongside a still-unreliable supporting cast, and Vrabel is once again set into a cycle of overseeing scrappy if totally unspectacular wild-card hopefuls.’
- Josh Edwards (CBS Sports) Rookies with most to prove at mandatory minicamps. LT Will Campbell included.
- Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) Nine NFL players who need to step up after rough rookie years. WR Ja’Lynn Polk included.
- Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) Minicamp holdout panic meter for T.J. Watt and Terry McLaurin: How worried should Steelers and Commanders be?
- Bradley Locker (PFF) 2025 NFL All-Breakout Team: Predicting football’s new top players at every position. No Pats.
- Thomas Valentine (PFF) Predicting the winners of the NFL’s top quarterback battles in 2025.
- Judy Battista (NFL.com) 2025 NFL MVP dark horses: Ja’Marr Chase, Travis Hunter, Baker Mayfield among potential candidates. No Pats.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Top 10 backup QB situations for 2025 NFL season. Mac Jones, Jimmy Garoppolo included. No Pats.
- Mike Freeman (USA Today) Busted knees, a fractured throat: Don’t forget harsh price NFL players pay.