“I do not think we have a very deep team,” Vrabel said to the press, “so I think we have to make sure that we are preparing our football team and that we are doing everything that we can to keep our best players available.

“And if that means playing Thursday as part of preparation, then that is what we will do. I have not made that decision yet, but I would say that that is something that I am confident in with where we are set up currently.”

Returning to the Super Bowl is the goal for a team that doesn’t want to leave anything to chance. Vrabel prefers to rest his key players at this stage and unleash his full arsenal starting in Week 1, when the Patriots will face none other than the Seattle Seahawks in a rematch of SB LX.

Vrabel draws his conclusions

With the heavy hitters taking a back seat, a few depth pieces really raised their hand during this 2026 preseason. Backup QB Behren Morton made a strong case for the roster after putting up a solid performance against Philadelphia Eagles, finishing 12 of 18 for 134 yards and a touchdown to keep the offense moving.

On the ground, rookie Jam Miller capitalized on his reps, grinding out 48 rushing yards on 9 carries and punching in a goal-line score. On the defensive side, pass-rusher Gabe Jacas stood out by causing havoc in the backfield, logging 3 total tackles, a sack, and two quarterback hits. It was exactly the kind of relentless, physical depth play Mike Vrabel values as he finalizes his initial 53-man roster heading into the regular season.

Protecting Drake Maye

It’s clear that Drake Maye is one of the team’s biggest stars, and the Patriots’ thin QB room means they don’t want to risk his health during the preseason. Tommy DeVito and Behren Morton are behind him on the depth chart, ready to step in if needed.

New England’s final preseason game

The Patriots wrap up their 2026 preseason on Thursday, August 27, when they hit the road to face the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. As for how they’ve kicked off the summer, it’s been a mixed bag with some solid moments: they opened up at home with a 13-13 tie against the Indianapolis Colts, but bounced back nicely in Week 2 by edging out the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in a tight battle at Gillette Stadium.

Per Mike Reiss of ESPN, it is very unlikely that Drake Maye plays vs Eagles. After all, Maye received heavy work during joint practices. Hence, the coaching staff might be content with the evaluation of him during those periods.

Backup Tommy DeVito is again expected to start under center. In last week’s preseason opener against the Colts, DeVito completed 13 of 22 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles will be yet another test against him.

Is Jalen Hurts playing for Eagles vs Patriots?

Nick Sirianni also indicated that his starters will rest, so Jalen Hurts is not likely to play vs. Patriots. Hurts didn’t have the best of practices and questions around him might be growing, but he is still the certified QB1 on the team.

Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton are likely to carry the major workload for the Eagles under center against the Patriots. As always, this is more a “go out and stay healthy” kind of game for NFL teams.

Maye and Hurts have different points to prove in 2026

Maye was the MVP runner-up last season and went to the Super Bowl, albeit on a losing effort. However, his season was criticized because of the easy schedule he faced. Now, he has to prove he can deliver in a consistent basis with a tougher schedule.

As for Hurts, the Eagles offense is entering a new regime with Sean Mannion as the offensive coordinator, and they lost AJ Brown, upgraded DeVonta Smith to WR1 and drafted Makai Lemon. Hurts needs to prove he can be a leader and produce.

“I wouldn’t anticipate seeing Drake out there on Thursday,” the head coach said during his press conference. “But that’s all subject to change.” It remains to be seen whether Maye will ultimately get a chance to take a few snaps late in the game or if the Patriots will preserve him for the season ahead.

New England’s QB room may not be particularly star-studded, but it does have options for the occasion. The experienced Tommy DeVito is listed first on the depth chart and will likely get the start, while rookie Behren Morton is currently listed third.

The challenges ahead for New England

The New England Patriots kick off their preseason tonight, August 13, at home against the Indianapolis Colts, followed by a second home game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, August 22. They will conclude their exhibition schedule on the road against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, August 27.

After wrapping up the preseason, the Patriots will officially launch their 2026 regular season away from home in a Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on September 9. The journey begins with a rematch of the most recent Super Bowl.

Maye remains the leader of this team

In 2025, Drake Maye delivered a breakout season for the Patriots, throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just 8 interceptions with an impressive 72.0% completion rate and a league-leading 113.5 passer rating. As a newly elected team captain and Pro Bowler, Maye established himself as the undisputed franchise leader, commanding the offense with poise and decision-making beyond his years.

With the offseason additions of dynamic wideouts A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, Maye is poised to elevate his game even further—expanding the team’s downfield threat, improving his efficiency in high-pressure situations, and cementing New England’s status as a legitimate championship contender.

“I wouldn’t anticipate seeing Drake out there on Thursday,” the head coach said. “But that’s all subject to change. That’s kind of what my mindset is right now sitting here today. Really, it’s just important that we get the work in, get things accomplished that we’re looking to get accomplished. But that can always change, but I wouldn’t anticipate that happening right now.”

Tommy DeVito and Behren Morton are the other two options Vrabel has on the depth chart behind his top player. It will be a matter of seeing who ultimately takes the first snaps at Gillette Stadium against the Colts.

There’s no need to risk Maye

Given his breakout 2025 campaign, there is simply no reason for the New England Patriots to risk Drake Maye’s health in exhibition action ahead of the 2026 season. Maye proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the franchise cornerstone after completing 72% of his passes for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions during the 2025 regular season.

Furthermore, his league-leading 8.9 yards per attempt and stellar 113.5 passer rating reflected the dramatic progress he made as a passer, demonstrating complete mastery of the offense. Exposing a proved MVP-caliber quarterback to unnecessary physical hits and potential injury in meaningless games offers virtually zero developmental upside, making his physical preservation for Week 1 the organization’s highest priority.

Preseason games for the Patriots

The New England Patriots will kick off their three-game 2026 preseason schedule at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, August 13, when they host the Indianapolis Colts. They will stay in Foxborough for their second exhibition matchup on Saturday, August 22, taking on the Philadelphia Eagles. Mike Vrabel‘s team will then wrap up its preseason slate on the road on Thursday, August 27, traveling to face the Cleveland Browns.

More on DeVito and Morton

Tommy DeVito, who originally joined New England after being claimed off waivers from the New York Giants in August 2025, stepped into the primary backup role after signing an off-season extension. Meanwhile, Behren Morton arrives as a 2026 seventh-round draft pick out of Texas Tech, where he threw for 8,986 yards and 71 touchdowns across 42 collegiate games, giving the Patriots a promising developmental option to compete for snaps throughout the preseason.

“Terms update: Patriots TE Hunter Henry is signing a two-year, $16 million extension worth up to $20 million and includes $14.5 million guaranteed and a $4.2 million signing bonus,” the insider revealed on X.

The 31-year-old will remain in Foxborough for at least two more seasons, in what could be the final team of his professional career. Mike Vrabel, meanwhile, also secures an important piece of the Patriots’ offense.

Henry’s impact on New England’s last season

During the New England Patriots’ run to Super Bowl LX in the 2025 season, Hunter Henry served as a pivotal safety valve and veteran leader for Drake Maye. Starting all 17 regular-season games, Henry anchored the offense with a career-high 768 receiving yards on 60 receptions (12.8 yards per catch) alongside 7 receiving touchdowns.

He elevated his play further in the postseason, starting all 4 games and adding 9 receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown—including a crucial 28-yard fourth-quarter score in the Wild Card round—to help propel New England back to the Super Bowl stage.

Far from the highest-paid

As of August 2026, the NFL‘s highest-paid tight ends by average annual value (AAV) are led by George Kittle, who holds the top spot at $19.1 million AAV ($76.4 million total) following his extension with the San Francisco 49ers. He is closely followed by Arizona Cardinals playmaker Trey McBride in second place at $19 million AAV ($76 million total).

Rounding out the top three is Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, who solidified the #3 spot after signing a three-year, $54 million extension ($18 million AAV) with $36 million guaranteed.

Drake Maye’s other options

The history of the Patriots shows that they have had some great tight ends over the years. Rob Gronkowski is a clear example of that, and now Hunter Henry is, in some ways, trying to follow in his footsteps.

If No. 85 is unable to take the field and be available to Drake Maye for any reason, these are the other options listed on the depth chart:

• Eli Raridon
• CJ Dippre
• Tanner Arkin
• Jack Westover
• Mitch Van Vooren

“It was tough,” Brown said while speaking with Mike Garafolo on NFL Network. “I tried to get back into that flow state zone really quickly. Obviously, you’re going through some pain. The game is what it is and you’re gonna get bumps and bruises. I’m not coming out of practice. Thumb out of place, you keep going.”

Drake Maye recently confirmed his shoulder injury, so if Brown’s situation had been more serious, Mike Vrabel would have faced major concerns moving forward. However, it appears that nothing will prevent the wide receiver from continuing to pursue his goals in this new chapter.

The hope placed in Brown

The arrival of A.J. Brown in Foxborough has injected a massive wave of excitement into the New England Patriots offense, bringing a proven elite wide receiver to the passing game. Coming off a solid 2025 campaign where he hauled in 78 receptions for 1,003 yards, 7 touchdowns, and a 12.9 yards-per-catch average, Brown provides the vertical threat and playmaker the franchise desperately needed.

Head coach Mike Vrabel feels positive on Brown and his potential impact, having previously seen his dominant work ethic firsthand, and fans are eager to see how his presence will transform the team’s attack this season.

Back to the Super Bowl

The goal for the team led by Robert Kraft for years is crystal clear: return to the Super Bowl and erase the sting of their latest loss against the Seattle Seahawks. The offseason was extremely active, highlighted by several smart acquisitions.

Drake Maye enters this season more mature than ever, and while the team boasts a powerful backfield led by Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, he also has lethal weapons through the air. A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, and DeMario Douglas will be his top receiving targets, while reliable tight end Hunter Henry will also play a key role.

Patriots’ preseason games

With the goal of reclaiming the AFC East and becoming title contenders once again, the preseason will be crucial for the Patriots. These are the first three games they will have as preparation for the upcoming season:

• vs Indianapolis Colts, August 13
• vs Philadelphia Eagles, August 22
• at Cleveland Browns, August 27

Maye suffered the right shoulder injury during the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos, and many believe it played a role in New England’s Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Despite those concerns, Maye delivered encouraging news during a recent appearance with Kay Adams, giving Patriots fans confidence that he will be ready when the regular season begins.

Drake Maye says his shoulder is fully healthy

Drake Maye was asked by Adams about his recovery and did not hesitate to reassure fans that everything’s fine ahead of the 2026 NFL season. “My shoulder is feeling great.”

The Patriots quarterback acknowledged that last season’s ending was disappointing but made it clear that he is entering the new campaign fully healthy and ready to lead the offense.

His recovery is especially important because the Pats believe they have assembled another roster capable of competing for a Super Bowl, highlighted by the arrival of A.J. Brown to strengthen the offense.

The biggest challenge may not be the roster itself, but a brutal 2026 schedule that many analysts believe will determine whether the Patriots are genuine contenders. For now, however, the most encouraging news for New England is simple: Drake Maye is healthy and ready to go.

“This offseason is different than last,” McDaniels said recently to the press. “Last offseason, we were just getting to know the language and learning how to operate within a system of offensive football. This year, we’re trying to take that and then go to the next phase of that, the next level of that, in his case which is obviously playing the position of quarterback.

“He knows a hell of a lot more than he did last year at this time. He’s trying to either really turn the corner and perfect some things that he has an opportunity to do that with, or trying to learn a few new things and evolve as a player and as an offense. He’s had a great attitude. Super fun to be around every day. Fun like he was last year, but it’s a more accelerated version.”

Now the goal in Foxborough is clear: not only to build on what they achieved last year, but also to add another championship ring to their collection. Can Maye and McDaniels finally get it done?

Can Maye improve his 2025 numbers?

Drake Maye put together an absolute masterpiece of a sophomore season in 2025, throwing for 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions with a spectacular 72% completion percentage, leading the New England Patriots all the way to the Super Bowl.

Now, the third-year quarterback is looking to take his game to an even higher level and build on those elite numbers thanks to some massive offseason upgrades. By bringing in a premier, game-changing WR1 in A.J. Brown alongside the incredibly reliable Romeo Doubs, the Patriots have suddenly handed Maye a pair of absolute weapons.

With this lethal new wide receiver duo at his disposal, Maye is perfectly set up to stretch the field, command the offense with even more authority, and firmly cement his status as one of the undisputed elites in the NFL.

McDaniels’ experience developing quarterbacks

Josh McDaniels is a flat-out wizard when it comes to maximizing quarterbacks, and his track record speaks for itself. He was the mastermind behind the most lethal, dominant versions of Tom Brady in New England, drawing up the exact schemes that helped the GOAT secure multiple rings and put up historic, MVP-caliber numbers.

McDaniels just has this elite football mind for reading his passer’s strengths, slowing the game down for them, and building high-octane offenses based on pure rhythm and timing—proving that when he gets his hands on a talented QB, he knows exactly which buttons to push to take them to the next level.

Per Mike Reiss of ESPN, many within the Patriots building think Drake Maye will make an upgrade. That includes tight end Hunter Henry, who said, “I think the underrated thing he has this year is obviously going into Year 2 in the system is big. This system demands a lot on the quarterback position… to be in the same scheme and really build on what he did last year.”

Former Patriots QB Brian Hoyer also spoke on the matter. “And the wild card with [Maye] is just the athleticism. I thought he did a tremendous job last year knowing when to use it. Now, it will become an even bigger weapon because his mind will be sharper knowing what to do. To me, that’s the natural progression.“

It’s tough for Maye to take a leap due to how good his 2025 season was

Maye had a 14-3 record, guided the Pats all the way to a Super Bowl. Not only that, he was the runner-up in MVP votes because he led the NFL in completion percentage (72%), QBR (77.1), and passer rating (113.5), threw for 4,394 yards, had 31 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.

Overcoming that is quite the challenge, but Maye’s talent and maturity could still make him improve. Hence, the sky is the limit for Drake Maye. McDaniels is an offensive guru, and Maye is a highly talented and clever quarterback.

Maye will have quite a roadblock this year

Last season, the Patriots had the easiest schedule in the NFL. In 2026, the Patriots are scheduled to have way more difficulties this time around. If Maye can even keep at the same level than last year but with this schedule, that can be considered an upgrade.

The Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini scandal keeps getting bigger and bigger. This time around, it was reported that the Pats HC had a yacht trip with the journalist while she was pregnant. Every time that the story is dimming, a new thing appears.

Unfortunately for Patriots players, the topic reached them. Maye was asked if Vrabel’s off-field problems will be a distraction. The QB answered with an emphatic “No, I don’t.“

Drake Maye is focusing on football only

Maye is demonstrating big-time maturity with this issue. Many would just go full into the gossip mode kinds of things. For Maye, “he’s our head coach. I think he’s done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it. I’m just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready.”

Vrabel is an excellent head coach. When it comes to football, he is a brilliant mind. However, now there are questions of whether Vrabel will be on the Patriots sideline come Week 1. Maye, for now, is still standing besides his head coach.

The Patriots are going downhill fast

The Patriots lost their best wide receiver in Stefon Diggs, their draft wasn’t graded in a good way, their head coach is in the middle of one of the hottest scandals in recent NFL history, their schedule will be one of the toughest in 2026, and the whole franchise seems headed to absolute disarray.

While there is a big rumor stating they could bring star WR AJ Brown, the fact is that this offseason, New England has had way more downs than ups. This could be very well an indicator of where the team’s season will go.

Naturally, the coach controversy reached Drake Maye as he was giving an interview to Jonathan Hall of 7News. “We’re here for coach. We love coach… what he’s done for us this past year — you can’t speak into words. Just thankful he’s our head coach. I know he’s dealing with some stuff off the field… we’re here for him.”

Due to the Vrabel-Russini scandal, the head coach missed the final day of the draft. However, he is back, and Patriots players say the energy is great and nothing has changed inside the team’s locker room.

Vrabel and Maye’s debut year was special

Mike Vrabel came to the Patriots when the team was in complete disarray. In his first year, he not only fixed the team, but also led them into the Super Bowl, despite a losing effort. He also formed a special connection with then-second-year QB Drake Maye.

Maye was the runner-up in MVP voting as well. Maye led the NFL in completion percentage (72), passer rating (113.5), QBR (77.1), and also had 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions. He was absolutely stellar throughout the whole season.

The Patriots want to avoid Super Bowl hangover talks

The term ‘Super Bowl hangover‘ refers to the decline in performance for NFL teams that appeared in the Super Bowl a season prior. The fact is that this offseason, all points sign to the Patriots suffering from this.

Add that to the fact that their schedule will be much harder than last year and this season could be a nightmare for the Patriots. It’s time to be put to the test, since the team’s character is getting challenged right now. At least quarterback and heac coach are still in-sync.