The Patriots’ safety room has a new look, but the early signs in training camp point to a pairing that’s already clicking.
Four practices into camp, Craig Woodson and Kevin Byard have looked comfortable together as New England works through the transition from Jaylinn Hawkins to the first-team All-Pro. Hawkins, a career backup, started alongside fourth-round rookie Woodson in 2025 and helped form a secondary that was one of the NFL’s best. The Patriots still chose to move on, letting Hawkins walk in free agency and bringing in Byard to take his spot.
Byard said the group is in a good place, while making it clear there’s still work to do.
“Feel really good about the secondary. We just got to continue to build and keep getting better,” said Byard.
For Byard, 33, this is just another training camp. For Woodson, it’s a chance to learn directly from one of the best safeties of his era and the NFL’s 2025 interception leader. That education has been happening everywhere, not just on the field.
Woodson said he’s paying close attention to how Byard prepares, from his film work to his recovery habits.
“I’m just watching his routine. It’s pretty good.
He does the contrast, does the sauna, does the massages and everything else. That’s stuff that I’ve been doing as well, so we’re pretty similar when it comes to that,” said Woodson.
He’s also soaking up what Byard is seeing on the chalkboard.
“In the film room, just hearing him break down things, what he’s seeing scheme-wise, and different coverages, and how he’s able to play stuff. Just hearing all that is just interesting to hear. I’m just trying to take it in as he keeps on spitting the game to me.“
Byard, for his part, likes what he’s seen from the second-year safety beside him. Woodson already made an impression with the first interception of Patriots training camp, a diving play on a tipped pass.
“He had the first pick of training camp, made a really good diving play on a tipped pass,” he said about Woodson. “He’s mature beyond his years.
I think he’s older, he’s 25. He’s a second-year guy, but he’s an older guy, very mature.
I’m just looking forward to building with him and obviously having good discussions in meetings and things like that.”
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