The 2026 NFL training camps have kicked off around the league, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The New England Patriots' camp is taking place in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Patriots reporter Mike Reiss has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and, of course, the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at Patriots camp. We will update this file often. Will Drake Maye start another MVP-like campaign in Year 3? Who are the breakout players to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Dive into all the updates and be sure to check back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Aug. 13.
Camp updates for all 32 NFL teams
Latest news from Patriots camp
Saturday, Aug. 1
Rookie outside linebacker Gabe Jacas practiced for the first time Saturday, as he officially was removed from the non-football injury list.
It was a breakthrough for Jacas, whom the team traded up eight spots in the second round to select 55th overall in hopes he could spark its pass rush.
Jacas was limited in the practice, not yet participating in team drills. But he still made his presence felt by knocking over outside linebackers coach Mike Smith, who was holding a blocking pad and absorbing contact from rushers.
It had been a long time coming for Jacas, who was not with the team all spring after reporting for rookie minicamp May 7-9 as he underwent a procedure on his left knee. Jacas also didn't sign his contract until two days into training camp as the sides worked through a negotiation that included an injury waiver to protect the team.
"He loves football. He's been itching to get back," coach Mike Vrabel said Saturday. "He texts me late at night, 'Hey, am I going to practice tomorrow?' You want guys that are looking for ways in, as opposed to looking for ways out. I think he just wants to get out there, get acclimated and be with his teammates. He just wants to play football."
At one point in Saturday's practice, Vrabel worked one-on-one with Jacas on punt protection technique. Coincidentally, Jacas donned No. 50 -- the number Vrabel wore as a member of the Patriots.
On defense, Jacas projects as a backup behind veteran starters Dre'Mont Jones and Harold Landry III. With Landry opening camp on the physically unable to perform list (knee), second-year player Elijah Ponder has stepped into his starting role.
Bradyn Swinson (2025 fifth-round pick), Xavier Holmes (2026 undrafted free agent), Jesse Luketa (four-year veteran who spent last year on the Rams' practice squad), Quintayvious Hutchins (2026 seventh-round pick) and Amari Gainer (joined Patriots practice squad in December of 2025) round out the depth chart along with Jacas.
Scene setter: Rookie OLB Gabe Jacas (50) loosens up early in his first practice. He later ran over position coach Mike Smith. pic.twitter.com/jHWllxbXR8
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 1, 2026
More observations:
Saturday was a "call it" practice, which Vrabel explained meant there was no script and players didn't know what play would be called, or what situation would be created, and they had to react accordingly.
WR A.J. Brown didn't finish practice, which might have been related to Vrabel saying several veterans would have their workloads scaled back as the team practiced in full pads for the third straight day. Vrabel said before practice that CB Christian Gonzalez, G Alijah Vera-Tucker, CB Marcus Jones, RB Rhamondre Stevenson and OT Morgan Moses would fall into that category.
Starting DT Christian Barmore returned to practice after missing Friday's session, while starting CB Carlton Davis III remains sidelined after appearing to injure his hamstring Tuesday.
Third-year safety Dell Pettus recorded just the second interception of Drake Maye in seven training camp practices, stepping in front of a throw along the right side as Maye might have been affected by pressure from Ponder.
Rookie CB Karon Prunty (fifth round, Wake Forest) ran stride for stride with undrafted WR Cameron Dorner and intercepted a long pass from backup QB Tommy DeVito.
WR Romeo Doubs and RB Lan Larison fumbled in full-team drills.
LG Caedan Wallace, who was bumped down to the third unit Friday, left practice early with a member of the athletic training staff and didn't return.
Patriots alum Rob Ninkovich (2009-2016) was on hand to sign autographs.
Friday, July 31
Quarterback Drake Maye and wide receiver A.J. Brown connected on their first deep ball in training camp Friday, and Brown also delivered a one-handed catch in the end zone in 2-on-2 work.
"It is just trying to feel the connectivity building now," Maye said. "You know when things are clicking and I thought we had some good plays today."
Each play sparked a rousing cheer from one of the most energetic crowds the Patriots have had in their six overall practices. Those fans might have been expecting more immediate fireworks from Maye and Brown when it was clear they were working to get on the same page, but things seemed to have turned a corner in recent days.
On Thursday, Maye connected with Brown on a couple of shorter touchdown passes. Friday marked the first time Brown got behind the defense with a double move (CB Christian Gonzalez closest in coverage), in part because coaches previously didn't have him running many deeper routes, if any at all.
Asked how he can foster more of a connection with Brown, Maye said: "Just giving more chances to him. You see with the ball in his hands, what he can do -- intermediate, short, deep. I'm not going to shy away from it, that's how I play. I'm going to keep going at it. It could be the fifth play in a row, I'm going to give him the rock."
Maye touched on the balance of doing so, but also throwing to a deep roster of wide receivers that also incudes Romeo Doubs, DeMario 'Pop' Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins and Efton Chism III.
"He's been a force in this league and I know we have a lot of players that make plays; that's the best thing about an offense like Coach McDaniels' -- it can be anybody on any given day and that's what the story was last year," Maye said.
"That's what we're trying to repeat, just have a little more juice and swagger to us."
Drake & A.J. x2 ☄️ pic.twitter.com/UZuQZD8DL4
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 31, 2026
More observations:
One day after first-round pick Caleb Lomu delivered a two-handed shove to OLB Bradyn Swinson in one-on-one pass-protection drills that had Swinson landing with a thud, Swinson got his revenge with a decisive win over Lomu (right tackle).
Starting DT Christian Barmore did not practice (unknown), while CB Carlton Davis III (who appeared to injure his hamstring Tuesday) also remained out.
Second-year WR Kyle Williams worked as the top kickoff returner alongside RB Lan Larison. Earlier in training camp, Vrabel talked about the desire to improve the team's kickoff return from last season (No. 19 in the NFL, 25.5 yards per return).
LG Mehki Butler, who spent 2025 on the practice squad, was bumped from the third unit to the second unit in place of Caedan Wallace.
Undrafted free agent LB Khalil Jacobs (Missouri) took some reps next to veteran Chad Muma on the second unit as he appears to be earning an expanded opportunity.
Undrafted free agent TE Tanner Arkin (Illinois) has taken advantage of the team's lack of experienced depth, as he continues to get repetitions with the top offense in team drills.
Hollins, who often stays late after practice to sign autographs, took things to a new level Friday by bringing fans on the field and racing them.
Thursday, July 30
On the day the Patriots practiced in full pads for the first time in training camp Thursday, first-round pick Caleb Lomu delivered a statement block.
The 6-foot-6, 313-pound offensive tackle moved his feet to mirror second-year outside linebacker Bradyn Swinson in a one-on-one pass-rushing drill, and when Swinson attempted to redirect to the inside, Lomu held his ground and capped the repetition with a two-handed shove that left Swinson on the ground.
It reflects the mentality with which Lomu wants to play.
"Finishing is the biggest key as an offensive lineman. You have to be able to know what to do and do it with a violent demeanor," he said.
There is a fine line when trying to show that in training camp, as Patriots coaches place a priority on keeping players upright to preserve their health. At the same time, Lomu said he has been determined to "finish longer than the guy with the ball" and "strain longer than the guy you're going against."
He acknowledged some nerves leading into Thursday's full-pads practice, but said those dissipated after absorbing initial contact.
To this point, Lomu has been the top backup behind starters Will Campbell (left) and Morgan Moses (right). So when Moses, 35, is given drills off, as was the case Thursday in the one-on-one pass-blocking period, Lomu steps in with the starters.
The 28th pick has also worked as a jumbo tight end, and in the spring, he took some reps at guard.
"He practices hard. He tries to learn. He tries to fix mistakes," Vrabel said. "He rarely makes the same mistake twice."
More observations:
WR Kyle Williams caught two touchdowns from backup QB Tommy DeVito in red zone work, the second of which he hauled in with one hand while making an impressive adjustment to the ball (CB Kindle Vildor in coverage).
WR A.J. Brown caught two short TD passes from QB Drake Maye in full-team drills.
WR Efton Chism III showed strong hands at the catch point, rising up in the end zone to make a contested TD catch on a throw from DeVito.
WR Kayshon Boutte, who has made three downfield catches as one of the early top offensive players in camp, said of the crowded WR room: "There's competition every year, just trying not to get lost in the sauce."
CB Carlton Davis III was not at practice after appearing to injure his hamstring Tuesday. His replacement, Charles Woods, returned after not finishing Tuesday due to what appeared to be a heat-related issue.
CB Christian Gonzalez, who is engaged in contract negotiations with the team, continued to be a full participant despite the increased injury risk by practicing in full pads.
DT Eric Gregory (6-3, 319) showed up in one-on-one pass-rush drills with what appeared to be two solid repetitions against C/G Ben Brown. The 2025 undrafted free agent from Arkansas is the type of player who benefits from finally being able to practice in full pads.
DT Christian Barmore had another dominating rep in one-on-one pass-rush drills, beating Alijah Vera-Tucker soundly after having been previously stopped by RG Mike Onwenu.
Vrabel said rookie OLB Gabe Jacas (second round, Illinois) is getting closer to practicing.
From the media tent: First-round pick Caleb Lomu highlights what he says is one of the critical parts of playing offensive line - finishing.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 30, 2026
"Being a violent player," he says.
(Lomu's first rep in 1-on-1 drills ended with his defender on the ground after a two-fisted shove.) pic.twitter.com/9ChVZ5CYCt
Wednesday, July 29
Defensive line, now the spotlight shines brighter on you.
When the Patriots return from Wednesday's day off for what is expected to be the first full-pads practice of training camp Thursday, it will be a chance to better assess if the position can be the backbone of the defense.
"Our goal is to set the tone every time we're out here. The whole defense follows the defensive line," sixth-year veteran Christian Barmore said. "Our goal is to dominate."
Defensive linemen can fine-tune technique and hand placement in non-padded practices -- and passionate position coach Clint McMillan demands it -- but the ability to play with power and proper pad level is best assessed in full-pads practices.
Here's what the depth chart has looked like through the first four non-padded practices:
Milton Williams (6-foot-3, 290 pounds) and Barmore (6-5, 315) have usually been the first two DTs on the field, and when the package calls for a third option to provide more sturdiness up front, Cory Durden (6-4, 305) gets the call in the role previously held by Khyiris Tonga (signed with Chiefs in free agency).
"He's a big guy, but he's athletic and smooth as well," Williams said of the energetic Durden (39.9% of the defensive snaps in 2025). "We're going to miss Tonga -- he was that big guy we had - but Cory is stepping in trying to fill that void."
When the Patriots go to the second unit, 2025 fourth-round pick Joshua Farmer (6-3, 312) and former practice-squad player Leonard Taylor III (6-3, 305) usually align at DT, with 2025 waiver-claim Eric Gregory (6-3, 319) in the Durden-Tonga type role.
Linebacker K.J. Britt, who is in his first season in New England after previously playing for the Buccaneers (2021-2024) and Dolphins (2025), believes there's potential for something special on defense.
"It all starts with the defensive line. We have a crazy defensive front and a very good group of edge guys," he said. "As long as those guys are wreaking havoc, it doesn't matter what we do on the back end, it's going to be scary for anybody."
More observations:
CB Christian Gonzalez has been a full participant in practice as his representatives negotiate a contract extension. Asked if that might change in full-pads practice, Gonzalez said, "I'll be out there."
Kicker Andy Borregales is 11-of-12 on field-goal attempts to this point. The one miss, on Tuesday, came after what appeared to be a low snap.
WR Mack Hollins is often the last player to leave the field, staying as long as an hour after practice to sign autographs for fans. "I have two hours off [after practices] ... and they are out here for two, three hours -- some at 6:30, 7:30 when I drive in in the morning they're already lined up," Hollins said. "So, I can go sign autographs."
Tuesday, July 28
Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez had a straightforward message regarding his ongoing contract extension talks with the Patriots: He won't be negotiating through the media.
Gonzalez spoke with reporters Tuesday for the first time since training camp began Saturday, the day owner Robert Kraft said the club offered him a deal that would make him the NFL's highest-paid cornerback and highest-paid player in franchise history.
His reaction?
"Everybody knows what Mr. Kraft has done. A ton of respect for Mr. Kraft and what he's done with this franchise. It's just something we don't want handle to the media. We want to keep that with the team, my team, and go on about that," Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez was asked eight other questions relating to contract extension talks. Each time, he gave a variation of the same answer.
"I want to keep that between my agents and the front office and let them handle that," he said.
Asked if he's optimistic an extension will happen, he said, "I hope so."
Gonzalez was more verbose when asked questions specific to football and his full participation in practice, and one point he highlighted was that Tuesday felt different.
"We're building that chemistry. That's something we've been talking about a lot, because that's going to bring us together and help us get through tough games, get through tough practices -- like today. Today, to me, felt like the first real training camp practice," he said, referencing warmer and more humid temperatures and a faster pace.
Gonzalez said the team's Super Bowl loss to the Seahawks has motivated him.
"We had a tough ending to the year. That sits on everyone's mind all year. I just want to get on the field and do what I do."
More observations:
Starting CB Carlton Davis III appeared to injure a hamstring and didn't finish practice. His replacement, Charles Woods, was helped off the field by two staffers and also didn't finish practice in what might have been a heat-related situation.
WR Kayshon Boutte made his third big downfield catch in three non-walk-through practices, this time catching a long-bomb TD down the middle of the field from QB Drake Maye. Boutte made the catch right near the goal line as safety Kevin Byard was the closest defender at the time he made the catch.
TE Hunter Henry's tight-window catch from Maye was another offensive highlight, once again with Byard in coverage. It was a reminder of the chemistry Maye and Henry have already developed in recent years.
Still waiting on the Maye-to-A.J. Brown fireworks. There were two downfield incompletions when Maye looked in Brown's direction, which reflected how the two are still working to get on the same page.
Second-round pick Gabe Jacas (non-football injury list) came to watch practice about midway through and stood out with his long red sleeves -- a look former Patriot Matthew Judon made popular.
Patriots Hall of Famer Dante Scarnecchia, the longtime former offensive line coach, was among the alumni on hand to sign autographs.
CB Christian Gonzalez arrives and answers an initial question on his contract status, and Robert Kraft's remarks on the team's offer. pic.twitter.com/tVVFnjNmj8
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 28, 2026
Monday, July 27
The last time outside linebacker Bradyn Swinson was in the headlines, it was for landing on the ground along with quarterback Drake Maye in a hold-your-breath type moment.
That was during the final day of mandatory minicamp in June. Immediately after the play, perhaps sensing that the outlook for the Patriots' season could have changed in an instant had Maye been injured, Vrabel called players together and ended the practice earlier than expected.
Fast-forward to Monday, the third day of Patriots training camp, and Swinson was back in the headlines for a different reason -- as one of six players to visit the media/interview tent because of an intriguing opportunity ahead of him.
If things go according to his plans, the 2025 fifth-round pick will be terrorizing opposing quarterbacks this season as a key cog of an edge group that is one of the Patriots' unsettled positions. At the same time, he won't be in the same ZIP code as Maye ever again.
"It wasn't a knockdown," Swinson said when asked about the play. "I know [media reports] made it sound like I tackled him, but I literally fell behind him. I helped Drake right up. Accidents happen.
"You have to learn the lesson -- just stay away from the moneymaker, Drake Maye."
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Swinson, who spent 13 weeks on the practice squad last season before a late-year promotion to the active roster, has been bumped up the depth chart early in training camp with veteran Harold Landry III (physically unable to perform list) and 2026 second-round pick Gabe Jacas (non-football injury list) not cleared to practice (knee).
Swinson said he has been buoyed by a more nutritious diet after tipping the scales around 270 pounds last season.
"I started eating plantains, and I never thought I'd eat plantains," he cracked. "I lost a lot of weight, got a lot stronger, and I like looking in the mirror now. It looks good when you have a couple abs."
More observations:
OT Will Campbell, OLB Elijah Ponder, WR Kyle Williams and C Jared Wilson were named offseason award winners, according to Vrabel.
Seventh-year FB Reggie Gilliam returned to practice Monday after not being present Sunday, with Vrabel saying it was tied to a planned maintenance schedule and something that could continue at times in training camp.
Monday was a slower-paced walk-through, an approach Vrabel also took at times in 2025. "This is something that we feel like can help us be able to learn," he said, adding that players will need to show they can "still act like a professional football team, and take care of the details and some of the technique, but just at a different pace."
Scene setter: FB Reggie Gilliam, in his first season with the Patriots after playing six years for the Bills, is the last player on the field after practice as he stays late to sign autographs. pic.twitter.com/PR69J54OYU
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 27, 2026
Sunday, July 26
Don't forget about Kayshon Boutte.
In a crowded Patriots wide receiver room, which includes trade acquisition A.J. Brown and big-money free agent signing Romeo Doubs, it was Boutte who delivered highlight plays each of the first two days of training camp.
On Sunday, Boutte corralled a back-shoulder throw from QB Drake Maye despite being tightly covered by CB Carlton Davis III. That came a day after Boutte got behind the defense to snare a diving 40-yard reception.
In a post-practice interview, veteran safety Kevin Byard highlighted Boutte's knack for making plays down the field.
Meanwhile, veteran Mack Hollins noted the deep WR room headlined by Brown, Doubs, Boutte, Kyle Williams, Pop Douglas and Efton Chism III and said of Boutte: "It's exciting to see that -- he makes plays when the ball comes his way. I think that's what makes a great receiver room -- guys just want to make plays when their name is called. They don't need anything other than that; they don't need any extra shine, they don't need any extra motivation. It's just, 'I'm a ballplayer, I line up and make a play.'"
More observations:
On a day the defense had the upper hand, second-year safety Craig Woodson registered the first INT of training camp, picking off a high Maye pass intended for Brown.
FB Reggie Gilliam was not spotted on the field after participating in the team's opening practice, while OLB Gabe Jacas, the second-round pick from Illinois who officially signed his contract Sunday, also did not practice. Coach Mike Vrabel hinted the team would take it slow with Jacas.
CB Christian Gonzalez was once again a full participant as he and the team remain engaged in contract negotiations.
With starting right tackle Morgan Moses limited as part of what appeared be an overall management plan to keep him fresh, first-round pick Caleb Lomu stepped in as the top right tackle.
Lomu and fellow rookie offensive lineman Dametrious Crownover circled the field and waved their arms to get a rise out of the crowd early, which added to the energy in practice. There might have been a bit of rookie ribbing from teammates involved.
Andy Borregales was 6-of-6 on FG attempts.
Patriots alums Christian Fauria, Jonas Gray and Joe Andruzzi were among those in attendance signing autographs for fans.
Saturday, July 25
When QB Drake Maye arrived at the interview podium following Saturday's opening practice, he smiled and said to reporters: "All right! We're back!"
It was a perfect New England morning, with sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70s, which filled the bleachers and hillside with a standing-room-only crowd.
"It was great to be back out here. Shoutout to the fans," Maye said. "I thought the guys had some energy."
Maye shared that his hope was to start off with fireworks, so he targeted WR A.J. Brown in the first play of full-team drills. But the pass was incomplete, with Pro Bowl CB Christian Gonzalez in coverage.
"I think I had to -- one-on-one over there with Gonzo," Maye said with a smile. "I tried to start off camp with a bang, but I have to make a better throw for him."
Maye finished 6-of-9 in full-team drills. The highlight play was a deep ball to WR Kayshon Boutte, who got behind the defense and dove to haul in the 35-yard pass.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 25, 2026
More observations from the day:
Veteran WR DeAndre Hopkins, who is a guest of the team as he works with the offensive coaching staff, created disruption for receivers in a low-tempo drill as they had to catch the ball with him creating a distraction.
WR Mack Hollins, barefoot and without a shirt on, was the final player to leave the field after signing autographs. As he ran back to the locker room, he shouted playfully in the direction of reporters, "We're going back to camp! Let's go to work!"
Owner Robert Kraft and his wife, Dana, hosted the second annual "Pawtriots" dog adoption event, which had players arriving to the practice field with dogs and pairing them up with their new families.
RB James White, who played for the team from 2014 to 2021, was an alumni guest and signed autographs for fans.
OLB Gabe Jacas, the second-round pick from Illinois, agreed to terms Saturday, according to a source close to the negotiation. He hadn't been with the team since rookie minicamp May 7-10.
Friday, July 24
On the day the New England Patriots officially reported for training camp, they were joined by veteran free agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who for now is exchanging his playing helmet for coaching gear.
Coach Mike Vrabel and Hopkins have a connection from their time together with the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans.
"DeAndre Hopkins is here with us, just to kind of check things out as far as what he wants to do as far as coaching. You'll see him on the field, whether that's [coaching or] personnel," Vrabel said in his opening news conference.
"Him and I talked, and he asked if he could hang out for a couple days and be around the coaches and be around the personnel department. I called the league and made sure that was going to be OK, and then I invited him back. That's where he's been the last couple days, and he'll be here for the next couple days."
Hopkins, 34, played for the Baltimore Ravens last season. He appeared in 17 games and totaled 22 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns.
Over his 13-year career, he has amassed 1,006 receptions for 13,295 yards and 85 touchdowns.
"Unbelievable player," sixth-year Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones said. "The expertise is much respected by everyone in the DB role, so having him in the building means a lot. That's a guy, whenever we have questions, we can actually ask them and learn about the knowledge of how guys think about running routes and also being a receiver."
The Patriots have a crowded receiver room headlined by A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario "Pop" Douglas and Efton Chism III, and Vrabel made it clear Hopkins wasn't with the team in a playing capacity.
"He has coaching gear on and is helping out the offensive coaches, meeting with our personnel guys," Vrabel said. "He loves football. People that love football that played the game for the length of time he did; wants to explore the opportunities and what that looks like after his playing career is over."