The New England Patriots were scheduled to hold their first voluntary organized team activities open to media Thursday before canceling. They apparently didn’t have a say in the matter.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the NFL docked the team two days of practice for an unspecified rules violation. The Patriots will lose another OTA session next week.
Filed to ESPN: The Patriots are losing two days of voluntary organized team activities due to a violation of offseason rules, per league sources.
That explains the team’s announcement about Thursday’s practice being called off.
Another OTA next week has also been taken away.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 25, 2023
They’re not the first team to commit an OTA infraction.
Last year, the Bears got stripped of an OTA day for practicing with contact in May, which is prohibited under the league’s collective bargaining agreement. The NFL also fined Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera $100,00 and took away two 2023 OTA practices for excessive contact last June.
Three teams (Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers) were fined for undisclosed violations in 2021.
Bill Belichick probably won’t appreciate losing early reps, especially after a disappointing 8-9 season clouded by offensive turmoil. However, he may not mind avoiding reporters Thursday before eventually getting pressed to explain this violation.