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6 takeaways from Patriots’ final training camp practice
"A lot of these players that you see today, however things go, hopefully will still be back here.”
FOXBOROUGH — With roster cuts looming, Mike Vrabel and the Patriots held their final training-camp practice on Monday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.
Monday marked the final opportunity for several players on the roster to make their case to stick around for Week 1, with New England needing to cut their roster down to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
Monday also marked the final time that the media was allowed to observe and report from a full practice, with NFL teams limiting media access to those on-field reps and strategic implementation once the regular season gets underway.
Here’s six takeaways from Monday’s practice:
Roster cuts looming
Vrabel acknowledged the obvious ahead of Monday’s practice.
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While the focus during Monday’s two-hour practice revolved around continuing to preach execution and poise on both sides of the ball, this stretch of the NFL preseason calendar weighs on many — beyond those on the roster bubble.
“I think probably early on in my career,” Vrabel said when asked how much roster cuts factored into his approach as a player during the late days of August. “I think that that was something that – you’re just trying to earn a role and figure out what it is that you needed to do to make the roster for the first few years, I think, in Pittsburgh, until you become an established player, and then I think there’s other conversations that kind of go on. So, I’ve been through a lot of these things.”
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While the Patriots now have multiple training-camp practices, joint sessions with Washington and Minnesota, and three preseason games to comb through when it comes to determining who makes the 53-man roster, Vrabel acknowledged that Monday’s practice still held some weight as the team makes the call on their final roster moves.
“There’s a lot of decisions that are still to be made, but I don’t know, the evaluation process has been a large one,” Vrabel said. “A lot of these players, whether we want to work with them moving forward, that’s kind of the case here.
“Those are the decisions when you get down to it as you make a roster, and then there’s obviously the practice squad players. So, a lot of these players that you see today, however things go, hopefully will still be back here.”
Carlton Davis doesn’t have to fret over his spot on the roster. But, the veteran cornerback stressed that cutdown day is tough on everyone in the locker room.
“I’ve seen this so many times that I guess I’m kind of used to it,” the 28-year-old Davis said of cutdown day. “It’s just a normal kind of thing that you understand that there’s so many guys who have come out here and worked hard. But we can only have 53 [players].
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“And the guys who really deserve to be somewhere will land on somebody else’s team. It’s a heartbreaker. It’s the worst day of the year, because you see guys that you’ve put in the work with and grinded with and you formed a bond with — and now they’re just gone in the wind. So it’s a tough thing. It’s the hardest part of this league. But it is what it is.”
Vrabel isn’t concerned with White’s slide down the depth chart
A Patriots defense that posted a league-worst 28 sacks in 2024 has received a shot in the arm with the arrival of Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson. The two free-agent pickups have impressed during both practices and preseason reps, and are seemingly set to start the 2025 season as New England’s starters on the edge.
But, the rise of both Landry and Chaisson has come at the detriment of expected starter Keion White, who has seen his reps on the first-team unit dip as the summer has gone on.
While both Chaisson and Landry had the night off (alongside several other starters) during last Thursday’s preseason game against New York, White logged 30 snaps against the Giants in East Rutherford.
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Even if White could still do plenty of damage as a situational pass-rusher behind both Landry and Chaisson, that demotion is a bit unexpected for a player who was one of the few bright spots on an otherwise lackluster roster in 2024.
But, speaking on Monday, Vrabel downplayed White’s dip in reps as of late.
“Well, there’ll be a rotation,” Vrabel responded when asked what White has to do to get back with the first-team defense. “We’re going to play a lot of guys on defense.
“I’ve had plenty of conversations with Keion and love how he works and love how he competes,” Vrabel said of White, who started 13 games in 2024. “So, we’re going to need him. We’re going to need all three of them, four of them, five of them, however many guys can help us on the edge and affect the quarterback. I think when everything is said and done, the snaps are going to be pretty even and equal.”
No updates on Gonzalez
With New England’s season opener set for Sept. 7, Vrabel still has no set timeline for when top corner Christian Gonzalez is expected to be cleared for game action.
The All-Pro corner suffered a hamstring injury during training camp four weeks ago, which has kept him off the field since then.
While the Patriots aren’t looking to necessarily push Gonzalez as he recovers from a muscle injury, Vrabel has remained vague as to when the 23-year-old corner is expected to return.
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“He’s working hard to get healthy, and I think that’s what I try to remind you guys all the time,” Vrabel said Monday of Gonzalez’s status. “That’ll be my stance on injuries – that I’m confident that the player is working hard and that they’re doing what they’re asked to do, and once they, let’s say, recover from something that they’re working through, especially if it’s been in a training camp, if you look at this specific situation, there is some conditioning that’s involved.
“I think that’s probably different for each guy. In my own personal experience, you can only ride the bike so long or do the stair climb or something, you actually have to come out here, put pads on, run and get into football conditioning. So, whatever that takes, that takes, and I’ve said that to every player that’s not out there with us right now.”
Beyond Gonzalez, other Patriots players who did not participate in Monday’s practice included Efton Chism III, Ja’Lynn Polk, Kendrick Bourne, Anfernee Jennings, Jack Gibbens, Bradyn Swinson, Jahlani Tavai, Kobee Minor, Marcus Epps, Cole Strange, Terrell Jennings, and David Olajiga.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz noted in late July that Gonzalez’s hamstring strain was not going to “impact his Week 1 availability.” But with Week 1 rapidly approaching, there still isn’t any clarity on when New England’s top defensive player will return to the gridiron.
Maye not worried about getting the ball to Diggs
Even though Stefon Diggs did not suit up during New England’s three preseason games, Vrabel signaled on WEEI Monday that the veteran wideout is expected to be cleared for Week 1 against the Raiders.
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Diggs is the most accomplished NFLer among New England’s revamped receiver corps, with the 31-year-old wideout already boasting four Pro Bowl nods and two All-Pro selections on his resume.
But even with Diggs’ lofty resume, Maye acknowledged on Monday that he doesn’t feel any pressure when it comes to getting his WR1 the ball once games begin in earnest.
“I wouldn’t say pressure,” Maye said. “He knows the play. I always try to tell the guys – if you see something, give me something on the sideline. I’m going to try to throw to the guys who are open. If he’s open a lot, then he’ll get the ball a lot.”
Even though Diggs is coming off a torn ACL that he suffered in October 2024, the accomplished receiver has been as advertised during practices when it comes to his crisp route-running and knack for getting separation from opposing defensive backs.
“Shoot, he’s a phenomenal player — what he can do and how much ball he’s played and the plays he makes. I just try to get him the football,” Maye said about Diggs. “Whether it’s extra work with him, in practice or in the film room, we’re trying to be on the same page.
“I think once he’s got 1-on-1 matchups or feels zone, knows coverage really well, and he can do a lot of things well. It’s good for us to use him as much as he’s able to handle.”
Davis is gearing up for a ‘lit’ 2025 season
Carlton Davis didn’t mince words on Monday when asked about New England’s rapidly approaching season opener on Sept. 7.
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“It’s about to be lit, bro. I’m excited for the city, for this team,” Davis said. “We’ve been working hard. I’m just ready to go to war with these guys. I’m just excited about what we all can do on that field together.”
Even with the question marks facing New England when it comes to depth and talent across critical areas of the roster, Davis believes that the Patriots’ defense — if healthy — has several game-changers in place that should make life miserable for opponents.
“All the playmakers we’ve got. Everything we’ve been doing, for me, has been something that I’m looking forward to come Game 1,” Davis said. “I don’t want to get into specifics, but I am really excited to play alongside guys like Gonzo, [Robert Spillane], Milton [Williams], everybody. We’ve just got a lot of guys, a lot of dogs out there. I’m pretty sure it’ll show up on game day.”
Beyond the influx of talent New England added during the offseason, Davis believes that the Patriots have responded well to the standard that Vrabel has tried to set so far this summer.
“The players are part of it, but then, like how the organization and practice are being run. That’s another thing because we can have the guys, but if you’re not running it the right way, it might not work,” Davis said. “I’m excited to play for Mike and how he’s running the show, how he’s holding us accountable for everything, anybody, including myself.
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“I really appreciate that in a coach. I really appreciate how he treats everything the same. When you bring a team like that, you usually have success behind it.”
Vrabel takes his lumps
Vrabel’s intense, hands-on approach during practices already had him sporting a cut on his face after breaking up a scrap between the Patriots and Commanders during a contentious joint practice earlier this month.
The 50-year-old Patriots head coach might be sporting a few more bumps and bruises on Monday night after getting trucked over by wide receiver Mack Hollins while putting up a blocking pad in front of the 6-foot-4 veteran.
Vrabel, who was smiling as he picked himself off the turf, seemed no worse for wear after Hollins lowered his shoulder on him.
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