Patriots training camp is set to begin on Tuesday, July 23.
New England Patriots rookies and veterans will soon report back to Gillette Stadium to kick off training camp. For the now Mike Vrabel-led Patriots, their first practice of the summer is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Before the players and coaches take the field, our preview series will begin with a look at New England’s quarterback position.
*Denotes player on the Pats Pulpit 53-man roster projection
Depth chart
Starter: Drake Maye* | Backups: Joshua Dobbs*, Ben Wooldridge (U-R)
The Patriots spent the offseason reshuffling the deck chairs behind quarterback Drake Maye, who enters his sophomore season as the undisputed top dawg in the quarterback room. After signing a two-year contract with the Patriots in free agency, 30-year-old Joshua Dobbs is set to serve as Maye’s primary backup this season. Dobbs comes to New England with 15 career starts to his name and a prior (short) stint in Tennessee under Vrabel.
New England’s quarterback depth chart is then rounded out by UDFA Ben Wooldridge. The team is expected to carry three quarterbacks in some fashion throughout the season, giving Wooldridge a head start towards earning a roster/practice squad spot. The depth at the QB spot will be noteworthy to watch throughout the summer after Maye dealt with injuries multiple times his rookie season.
Key Question: Can Drake Maye make Year 2 leap in new offensive system?
Appearing in 13 games his rookie season, Maye flashed the electric dual-threat ability that ultimately led to the Patriots making him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft just months prior. Maye was one of the league’s most efficient scrambling quarterbacks and moved the football effectively through the air — impressing in-structure while also recording a 3.7 percent big-time throw rate.
Through all the flashes playing with a less-than-ideal supporting cast, there were expected rookie mistakes for Maye, however. The biggest issues became turnovers, as Maye finished his first year with the sixth-highest turnover-worthy play rate in the NFL (3.5 percent).
With New England hiring Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator and improving the offensive personnel around Maye this offseason, the stage is set for Maye and his natural ability to continue to climb towards his potential as a true franchise quarterback.
X-Factor: Josh McDaniels
Speaking of McDaniels, the longtime coordinator and former head coach will be the top voice in Maye’s head this season. McDaniels’ system, however, is a sharp contrast from the Alex Van Pelt-scheme Maye operated his rookie season in terms of language and responsibilities put on the young gunslinger at the line of scrimmage.
If Maye can handle everything put on his plate by McDaniels — something he seemed comfortable with throughout the spring — the coordinator’s staple passing attack paired with new West Coast elements and QB rushing scheme should only benefit Maye moving forward.