The New England Patriots continued their offseason workout program on Tuesday. Taking to the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium, they held their second organized team activity of the spring, and the first one open to media.
While OTAs do not include pads or contact, there was still plenty to take away from the session.
Attendance
Absentees: WR Stefon Diggs (lnee), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (personal), G Sidy Sow (unknown), DL Joshua Farmer (unknown)
Non-participants: WR Mack Hollins, OT Vederian Lowe
Given the voluntary nature of OTAs, the Patriots’ strong attendance was noteworthy on Tuesday. Among the four absentees, just two were unexpected: Sidy Sow and rookie Joshua Farmer were out for undisclosed reasons. Mack Hollins and Vederian Lowe, who underwent offseason surgery, were both present on the field but did not participate throughout the day.
A handful of players who suffered injuries last season were additionally limited. This group included WR Ja’Lynn Polk, OT Morgan Moses, DT Jaquelin Roy, S Kyle Dugger, S Jabrill Peppers and S Marcus Epps. G Michael Onwenu and C Jared Wilson rounded out the limited group.
Takeaways
Short memory Maye: It was a rough start to the day for sophomore quarterback Drake Maye. In the first 11-on-11 session, Maye tossed four interceptions. One was an overthrow with pressure in his face; one came in the flat on a pass intended for DeMario Douglas; one was a good play by Christian Gonzalez on a deep shot to Kyle Williams; the final one was a tipped throw intended for Hunter Henry.
Maye showed some short memory, however, and rebounded strongly in the second session of team work. He ended his day by throwing three straight perfectly placed balls to Henry over the middle, a great timed pass into the Cover 2 hole to Williams on a corner route along the sideline, and a back-shoulder ball downfield to Javon Baker against Gonzalez.
It was the ups and downs of a quarterback in the early days of a new offense.
O-line watch: With several veterans limited along the offensive line, a full picture was tough to nail down during team drills. But, the practice opened with rookie Will Campbell at his expected spot at left tackle with Cole Strange working next to him. Strange also saw time at right guard throughout the day while veteran Wes Schweitzer took the spot next to Campbell when Onwenu and Moses sat out.
Garrett Bradbury handled the snaps throughout the day with Maye under center.
Gonzo in midseason form: Coming off an All-Pro selection in 2024, Christian Gonzalez looked ready for the season to start on Tuesday. Working opposite of newcomer Carlton Davis, the third-year man recorded two of the four interceptions off Maye early on.
The second was one of the best plays of the day. He bailed off the flat to track down an over-the-shoulder pick against an open Kyle Williams downfield. Impressive stuff.
Rookie wideouts: Primarily aligning along the outside, third-round rookie Kyle Williams was active in the second OTA practice despite being the target on the aforementioned interception. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels found ways to get the ball into the speedster’s hands while he made a nice sideline catch on a pretty pass from Drake Maye.
New England’s other rookie, undrafted free agent Efton Chism III, was a favorite target for quarterback Joshua Dobbs — hauling in three passes during one team period. He then added another from third-string QB Ben Wooldridge. The separation ability and quickness is easy to see for Chism, who also was involved in the punt return rotation.
The rookie duo was also the last two on the JUGS machine to end practice.
Busy day from UDFA WR Efton Chism III with four catches in team drills (three from Joshua Dobbs).
Easy to see the quickness and change of direction ability from an early practice drill. pic.twitter.com/BkmHtwaviq
— Brian Hines (@iambrianhines) May 20, 2025
Kicker watch: The first action took place for the Patriots kicking competition between rookie Andres Borregales and John Parker Romo from an estimated distance of 37 to 53 yards. Borregales connected on all four of his attempts (although the first kick was low) while Romo went 2-of-4, missing wide left and right.
Other notes:
For most of the day, wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk worked off to the side solo with offensive assistant Riley Larkin. The sophomore could still be working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery.
While there wasn’t much work to be done on the ground, rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson looked the part from an athletic/explosive standpoint. Henderson also hauled in a pair of passes from Maye and one from Dobbs.
Will Campbell stayed late after practice to work one-on-one with veteran Morgan Moses. “He’s eager to learn, he asks questions ... obviously he's a stud,” Moses said afterwards.
Christian Barmore was present and appeared to participate at a normal level as he works his way back from blood clots. Free agent signing Milton Williams often aligned next to him up front.
Beyond Christian Gonzalez, safeties Dell Pettus and rookie Craig Woodson hauled in the other two interceptions.
The Patriots will be back on the practice fields on Thursday for OTA No. 3. The next open session is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28.