The New England Patriots will take the next step in their offseason program on Wednesday as they transition into Phase 3. That will bring the first of nine voluntary organized team activities over the next three weeks before a three-day mandatory minicamp wraps up the spring in June.
Throughout the currently scheduled practices, the media will be on hand for six total sessions — beginning Wednesday — to get a first on-field look at this year’s team.
While the pads are off and contact is at an extreme minimum, there will still be plenty to take from the next few weeks. Here are the top things we’ll be watching for on the back practice fields.
Unlike minicamp (June 15-17), which is mandatory for players, OTAs still fall under the voluntary portion of the offseason program. Attendance is still noteworthy this time of year and, while participation has been strong for the Patriots throughout the offseason so far, there are usually a handful of players who miss some — or all — of OTAs.
The biggest name to watch will be wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. Boutte has not been with the team during the start of the offseason program as he enters a contract year while rumors continue to swirl about the Patriots potentially acquiring A.J. Brown. With Brown mainly projected to take over Boutte’s role in the offense, a trade at some point would not come as a surprise.
Additionally, not all players will be full-go this spring as they work their way back from injuries. Day 2 draft picks Gabe Jacas and Eli Raridon did not participate during the lone open rookie minicamp practice earlier this month. Jacas, who has yet to sign his rookie contract, was limited throughout the pre-draft process with a hamstring injury.
On a positive note, free agent addition Alijah Vera-Tucker believes he will be fully cleared after suffering a season-ending triceps tear.
Offensive continuity and growth
For the first time since high school as a starting quarterback, Drake Maye will have the same offensive coordinator for consecutive seasons with Josh McDaniels back with the play sheet. That is a major reason there is confidence inside the building that Maye — who noted the value of offensive continuity during his end-of-season press conference last year — will continue to ascend.
Teammates feel the same way.
“I think the underrated thing he has this year is obviously going into Year 2 in this system is big,” captain Hunter Henry said. “This system demands a lot on the quarterback position. It was kind of learning as we go [last year] and you still saw the progress. To have a whole offseason to be in the same scheme and really build on what he did last year, I’m excited to see the jump and progress he can make on a day-to-day basis.”
A second season pairing McDaniels and Maye together should also allow the offensive coordinator to further expand his call sheet. This offseason, the Patriots made it a priority to upgrade their run-game personnel by adding Alijah Vera-Tucker, fullback Reggie Gilliam, and blocking tight end Julian Hill. New England is expected to lean more into heavier personnel groupings this season in an effort to create a more consistent rushing attack, with a hopeful explosive play-action passing game built off of it.
Among the other changes on offense around Drake Maye is at wide receiver. While the potential addition of A.J. Brown still looms, New England made the decision to release Stefon Diggs and sign Romeo Doubs this offseason. Replacing Diggs — who led all wide receivers league-wide in reception percentage (82.5%) last season — will be no easy task both on and off the field, but the Patriots are hoping the 25-year-old Doubs can fill a similar role for the long term. Wednesday will then mark our first look at the Maye-to-Doubs connection.
Elsewhere in the wide receiver room, Boutte’s potential absence could lead to valuable reps for 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams alongside Maye. New England will also begin evaluating a crowded bottom of the depth chart, where DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism III could be competing for just one roster spot. The team also signed four undrafted free agents at the position who will begin pushing their way up the depth chart.
For the second straight season, the Patriots used their first-round pick on an offensive tackle. With last year’s No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell and veteran Morgan Moses still holding down starting roles, Caleb Lomu is expected to serve as the top backup as a rookie. After spending most of his college career at left tackle, Lomu has worked mostly at right tackle in recent weeks after repping on the left side during the lone open practice in rookie minicamp. Wednesday will provide the first glimpse into the Patriots’ plan for cross-training the 21-year-old.
Along the starting unit, Wednesday will also offer a first look at Alijah Vera-Tucker at left guard between Campbell and Jared Wilson, who is back at center. The Patriots could then use another layer of depth behind Ben Brown to emerge this offseason.
While jobs are ultimately won during training camp and the preseason, OTAs provide an initial look at how the Patriots coaching staff views a roster they aimed to deepen this offseason.
The last notable position battle on offense comes at running back as the team searches for a third option behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. New England invested in a pair of rookies with seventh-round pick Jam Miller and highly paid undrafted free agent Myles Montgomery, who will compete with Lan Larison and Terrell Jennings. Special teams value — especially at kick returner — could become a major factor.
New England’s starting defense also appears improved on paper after adding edge rushers Gabe Jacas and Dre’Mont Jones while signing All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to patrol the back end. Building depth behind that group will be important.
After moving on from Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai, and Marte Mapu this offseason, the Patriots will need another option behind Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss at linebacker. Free agent addition K.J. Britt, Chad Muma, sixth-round pick Namdi Obiazor, and undrafted free agent Khalil Jacobs will look to compete for that role.
In the secondary, fifth-round pick Karon Prunty joins a crowded bottom of the cornerback depth chart that includes Charles Woods, Kobee Minor, Kindle Vildor, and Marcellas Dial Jr., who is returning from an ACL tear. And while Byard rarely leaves the field at safety, Dell Pettus, Mike Brown, and Peter Manuma will compete to become the team’s third safety.
