The team of first-year head coach Mike Vrabel will intensify its work before the draft.
With Phase 1 in the books, the New England Patriots are set to ramp up the intensity of their offseason workout program. Starting on Tuesday, they will hold a three-day minicamp at Gillette Stadium.
Like the rest of the offseason program with the exception of mandatory minicamp in June, participation at this camp is voluntary. That said, the expectation is that most if not all of the healthy players on New England’s roster will be in attendance.
At least 60 of 69 current players were confirmed participants when the offseason program started on April 7, with the actual number likely even higher. The group of players present at the time included headline names such as quarterback Drake Maye and cornerback Christian Gonzalez as well as defensive tackle Christian Barmore and wide receiver Stefon Diggs; the latter two making their comebacks after missing significant parts of the 2024 season for medical reasons.
The Patriots are one of five NFL teams holding voluntary minicamps this week. The New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders and Chicago Bears opened theirs on Monday, with New England joining them a day later. All five teams are permitted to hold such a camp after hiring new head coaches earlier in the offseason.
The Patriots brought in Mike Vrabel in January, shortly after firing head coach Jerod Mayo following a 4-13 season. Mayo himself had replaced Bill Belichick in 2024, and opted for a two-day voluntary camp last April.
Intended to give teams with new head coaches an additional opportunity for hands-on work with players, voluntary minicamps serve as a bridge of sorts between the first and second phases of offseason workouts.
The first phase focused solely on strength and conditioning, with no members of the coaching staff allowed on the field. Starting with Phase 2 in May, meanwhile, the full staff will be present and the Patriots permitted to hold individual and group drills over a three-week period. Additionally, offensive players will be allowed to line up across from other offensive players, and defensive players will be permitted to do the same on their side of the ball.
The full offseason workout schedule was announced by the Patriots earlier this month.