The Patriots finally got back on the field, and for anyone in New England who had been counting down the days, it was a long one. The preseason opener against the Colts dragged on far longer than anybody wanted, but it still offered a useful first look at where this roster stands and where the problems are already showing up.
There were bright spots, too. Some players helped themselves, some depth pieces flashed, and there’s at least a little reason to feel better about what’s coming next. The Patriots will get another important test when they host the Eagles for joint practices next week, but until then, the tie with Indianapolis left plenty to sort through.
For one thing, preseason football should not take 3.5 hours.
Tommy DeVito gave the Patriots a steadier look behind Drake Maye than he had shown before. In the first half, he looked like a much more capable backup quarterback, and that matters if New England is trying to feel good about carrying him as the QB2 into the 2026 season. There had been talk that the Patriots might need a more experienced veteran in that role, but DeVito made a case that he can be the reliable answer if Maye misses time.
Kyle Williams also gave the offense a needed spark. He caught the Patriots’ only touchdown, a 12-yard pass from DeVito in the first half, and later added a 25-yard reception that showed off his speed. If he keeps showing that kind of playmaking, he puts himself right back on the radar as a potential weapon for Maye - but he has to keep bringing it in practice, too.
Mack Hollins had a mixed night with DeVito. He let a few easy catches slip away early, then later came down with a nice 18-yard grab. Since he profiles as one of Maye’s preferred deep targets, the Patriots need more consistency from him as the preseason rolls on.
The Patriots also got a strong debut from Gabe Jacas. He finished with five combined tackles, including two on special teams, and spent much of the night disrupting plays whenever he was on the field. That kind of impact is especially notable because he missed most of the offseason, and it makes it obvious why New England wanted to draft him earlier this year.
On the other side of the ball, the backup defense was active almost all night. The Patriots forced two interceptions and recovered two fumbles, with contributions coming from players including K.J.
Britt, Dell Pettus, and Bradyn Swinson. That kind of production suggests the Patriots may have more dependable defensive depth than people have been giving them credit for.
The secondary had its own encouraging moments with the starters off the field. Rookie Karon Prunty forced a punt with a solid breakup, and Kindle Vildor picked off a pass early in the game.
The running back battle behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson got a little more interesting, too. With Terrell Jennings now on season-ending injured reserve, Jam Miller and Lan Larison remain the clear names to watch, and Miller came out ahead in this game. Even so, it still feels like a tight competition.
Not everything was encouraging. The kicking operation was rough for much of the night, and Andy Borregales missed three field goals, leaving nine points on the field. That’s the kind of performance that brings back the same questions the Patriots had about him last year.
The offensive line depth also took a hit. Backup center Ben Brown left in the first half and went to the medical tent before eventually heading to the locker room, which made the injury look serious.
Not long after that, Andrew Rupcich also went down with what appeared to be a knee injury. That leaves a real need for more help up front before the regular season arrives.
And then there’s the tight end issue, which simply would not go away. The Patriots’ struggles in covering the position showed up again against the Colts, just as they had at practice. At this point, it feels like a problem that has been hanging around for too long, and if it doesn’t get fixed soon, it’s going to keep costing them against quality players this fall.
In Other News...
Patriots Took A Chance On An Unusual Athlete For One Reason
Mitch Van Vooren took one of the more unusual routes youll find to football, moving from track standout to college gridiron hopeful with the kind of athletic background that can make evaluators stop and look twice. A former All-Big East outdoor hurdler at Marquette, he used an extra year of eligibility from the COVID-19 pandemic to chase football, then transferred to St. Norbert College so he could keep playing the sport while still competing in track.
At St. Norbert, Van Vooren managed to stay elite in both lanes, earning First Team All-American honors in the 400m hurdles even as he pursued football full time enough to keep an NFL dream alive. For a Patriots team willing to take a chance on rare movement skills and developmental upside, his path is the kind of background that at least explains why he got a look in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Backfield Battle Just Opened The Door For A New Favorite
The Patriots backfield picture got a little clearer, and a little more crowded, before their preseason opener. Terrell Jennings landed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, opening a roster spot that New England quickly filled by signing JaMycal Hasty. For a running back group already trying to sort out depth behind the top of the chart, it was the kind of move that can quietly change the shape of a competition in August.
It also matters because the battle for the third running back job had already been worth watching, and now Hasty is suddenly part of it. Hassan Haskins, Lan Larison and rookie Jam Miller were among the players in the mix, and the Patriots now have one more experienced option to evaluate as they work through the preseason. For a team that values flexibility in the backfield, the next few weeks should tell us a lot about which runner has the edge when roster decisions get serious. [Read more 🡒]