The New England Patriots have wrapped up their 2024 training camp, culminating in a joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles. This intense session featured standout performances and highlighted areas for improvement as both teams prepare for the upcoming season.
Quarterbacks Under Pressure
During 11-on-11 drills, the Patriots' quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye faced relentless pressure from the Eagles' defense. Especially notable was the Eagles’ success in getting to Maye, who was sacked on three of his four dropbacks in the final period of the session. Despite this, Maye demonstrated efficiency in earlier drills, completing all six of his pass attempts in the 7-on-7 drill and finishing the competitive drills with 12 completions out of 18 attempts.
Brissett's performance was a mixed bag—completing 17 out of 30 attempts but throwing two interceptions. One of these picks was particularly unlucky as it deflected off tight end Austin Hooper’s chest. These stats underscore the pressure the quarterbacks faced and indicate areas needing refinement ahead of regular-season play.
Impressive Plays and Key Matchups
Throughout the joint practice, there were several flashes of standout athleticism. Wide receiver Javon Baker turned heads with a diving reception during 1-on-1 drills. Ja'Lynn Polk also made a significant impact by outmaneuvering Shon Stephens to catch a deep pass from Maye, showcasing his speed and agility.
On the defensive side, Christian Gonzalez had a noteworthy day, winning two of his three matchups against the Eagles' star wideout A.J. Brown. However, Gonzalez faced tougher competition against DeVonta Smith, losing both of their 1-on-1 matchups, a reminder of the fluctuating challenges defenders face at the highest level.
Turnover and Physicality
Highlighting the physical nature of the session, Matthew Judon forced a fumble from Saquon Barkley during team drills, a play that demonstrated the Patriots’ defensive prowess and aggressive mentality.
Tempers flared during a kickoff drill, resulting in a scuffle between Josh Uche and E.J. Jenkins. The incident prompted Patriots’ assistant coach Jerod Mayo to address the situation publicly. “I mean, look, you don't fight in a real game. If you fight in a real game, you get fined; you get kicked out. It's the same thing here. Look, my message to the players, if you get in a fight out here, if you're a starter, you're going to play the whole preseason game. If you're not a starter, you won't play at all. That's kind of my mindset with that,” Mayo stated, emphasizing discipline and control.
New Additions and Absences
In roster news, the Patriots have acquired free agent Chukwuma Okorafor, looking to shore up their offensive line. They also used a Day 2 draft pick on offensive lineman Caedan Wallace, indicating a strategic focus on bolstering protection for their quarterbacks. Both additions may play pivotal roles in the team’s performance as they prepare for the regular season.
Conspicuously absent for the second consecutive day was tight end Hunter Henry. Mayo, however, expressed optimism about Henry's status, stating, "I don't anticipate it to be very long," suggesting that Henry’s absence may not be a long-term issue.
As the training camp concludes, the Patriots will now shift their focus to refining their strategies and roster ahead of the preseason games. The performances in these joint practices have provided valuable insights and identified areas requiring targeted improvement. With strong showings from both established players and new additions, the team's upcoming challenges will be crucial in setting the tone for the 2024 season.