It’s a busy time in New England as the Patriots enshrined Rob Gronkowski in the team’s Hall of Fame Saturday and will honor the 2016 Patriots team during halftime of Sunday’s game against the Packers.
It has then been a busy week here on Pats Pulpit covering it all. So for anything that fell through the cracks, let’s clean out the notebook from the week.
Welcome to the latest edition of our Sunday Patriots Notes.
As defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr takes the podium in front of the media every Thursday afternoon, the routine is usually typical.
Questions fly about the previous game or upcoming opponent. Schematic talk is usually brushed to the side. Questions about players usually revolve around blue chip talents like Christian Gonzalez or Milton Williams.
But Kuhr feels like one player in that group doesn’t get enough attention.
“You didn’t mention Christian Elliss,” he said.
An undrafted free agent out of Idaho in 2021, Elliss began his career as a special teams player. That remained his role when he first joined the Patriots as a waiver claim late in the 2023 season, logging zero defensive snaps over the final four games.
Sticking in New England, Elliss went on to earn a consistent defensive role in 2024. His playing time has increased in each of the last three seasons, culminating in a full-time starting role this year. He has played 97% of the Patriots’ defensive snaps in 2026 while starting 21 of their last 23 games.
“I think his consistency, and with him, I’d say even last year, starting off the first game, he’d admit to you, it was probably one of his worst games he’s played,” Kuhr said. “But his consistency has been his consistent improvement, and whether that be learning multiple roles now, being multiple packages, and yeah, I think he’s just a great example to those younger guys.”
The production has followed. The hard hitting Elliss has made an impact in every aspect on defense, recording 60 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, a pass breakup and a forced fumble this season. His 11 pressures and 26 run stops are already career highs.
His play reached another level during the second half of last season, and that momentum has carried into 2026. Elliss credits a change in mindset for that development.
“I’m going to play free. I’m going to play with joy. That’s the mentality I finally came to the conclusion of I need to have,” he said last season. “I was slower in my play because I’m trying to make everything perfect. \[Now\], I’ve just kind of been like, screw that. I don’t need it perfect. I’d rather have it be fast, physical, and, if I make a mistake, I’ll do that going 100%.”
After signing a two-year, $13.5 million contract extension with the Patriots in 2025, Elliss is set to become a free agent following the season. Given his role and his production this year, he has made a strong case to be a priority for another extension in New England.
Rob Gronkowski received his red jacket on Saturday as he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame. Gronkowski and the 2016 Patriots will then be honored during Sunday’s game to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Super Bowl LI.
Drake Maye shared this week that he owned a Gronk jersey as a kid and was looking forward to reconnecting with the former tight end this weekend. The two have crossed paths a handful of times since Maye arrived in New England, with their first meeting coming at the 2024 Pro Bowl.
Maye has developed a strong connection with his own tight end during his Patriots career as Hunter Henry has climbed up the franchise ranks at the position. With Henry (foot) questionable for Sunday, it could mark Maye’s first full game he’s played as a Patriot without the veteran at his side.
”I think he’s been someone for me that I can count on since my first snap in there my rookie year. He’s been a security blanket and a great guy in the huddle,” Maye said.
Sunday’s game will be one for fans of the deep ball. Packers quarterback Jordan Love and Drake Maye are tied for the league lead in deep completions with 17 apiece. Love ranks first in deep passing yards (591), while Maye is second (586). Maye, meanwhile, leads the league in big-time throws targeting the deep area of the field (15), with Love ranking second (12).
Vrabel said the deep passing game starts with wide receivers who can get downfield and an offensive line that can hold up in protection. From there, it’s up to the quarterback to deliver.
“Certainly, touch is involved, right? If you have to drive the ball, and arm strength,” Vrabel said. “But I think probably just having a good feel of, ‘Do I need a 35-yard pass that’s in the air, or do I need a 50-yard ball?’ and being able to judge that differently.”
Patriots outside linebackers coach Mike Smith was on Green Bay’s defensive staff when the Packers selected Jordan Love in the first-round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Smith noted how Love was a quiet rookie — a “pretty smart” move as he soaked up knowledge behind Aaron Rodgers.
Both Smith and Kuhr noted you see some resemblance of Rodgers in Love’s game now as he has developed into one of the league’s top quarterbacks.
“He’s a really special player when he’s at a full speed coming at you — at defenders. He’s tough to guard, tough to handle. He’s got great releases and just try to give him a chance to give him a ball to go catch,” said Drake Maye about wide receiver Kyle Williams.
Patriots players and coaches have enjoyed having Terrell Williams back in the building and on the sideline during game days this season.
Kuhr called Williams a positive influence on his psyche as he instills confidence in the coordinator, while the assistant head coach’s impact has reached all levels of the team.
“He touches all the players on both sides of the ball to get a feel for them and help them grow,” Kuhr said. “And especially with these rookies, what they have to go through, he’s just a great sounding board, great resource, advice, helps with the game-planning, but also does a good job of saying, like, ‘This is your show.’ ”
The Patriots are one of the top special teams units in football when it comes to limiting touchbacks. On the year, just 7.7% of their kickoffs result in touchbacks while they’re 0.4 touchbacks per game ranks fourth best in the league.
Head coach Mike Vrabel credited kicker Andy Borregales for his work in that aspect, while coordinator Jeremy Springer highlighted the need to cover kicks with the new rules.
“You got to be able to cover kicks in the NFL. That’s the way it is now,” Springer said. “I don’t want them to start to drive at the 35 yard line. Every time you hit touchbacks, it’s the 35 yard line.
“So, if we can get them inside the 30, inside the 25, or get a penalty, now they’re on the 15, the 10, those are the hidden yards throughout the game that are going to help you win football games. The last thing you want to do is kick touchbacks.”
The Patriots will change up the schedule this week with Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions in Munich, Germany.
This means Mike Vrabel media availability on Monday and an off-day on Tuesday will be regularly scheduled, before the team holds a normal Wednesday before departing to Germany that night. That’s where they will practice on Thursday and Friday before kickoff on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET.
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