ClutchPoints
Change has come to New England. After years of struggle following the end of the Brady-Belichick dynasty, the Patriots now belong to head coach Mike Vrabel. Of course, expectations have shifted. Vrabel is tasked with rebuilding a proud franchise from the ground up. Training camp will be the first true test of whether the culture he’s installing can stick. For veterans and rookies alike, this summer isn’t just about learning new systems. It’s about proving you deserve to be part of the team’s new foundation.
Nearly half of New England’s roster has been overhauled in Vrabel’s first year at the helm. However, the key to a successful training camp rests with a familiar face: Drake Maye.
In his introductory press conference, Vrabel called Maye a “young, dynamic quarterback” and admitted that the former first-rounder was a big reason he wanted the job. Now, how quickly Maye masters Josh McDaniels’ offense and raises the level of those around him will shape whether the Patriots can climb back into playoff contention. Joint practices against the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels and the Vikings’ JJ McCarthy will serve as a clear benchmark for his progress.
Yes, Maye commands most of the attention. That said, the rest of the roster remains a work in progress. For players on the bubble, the next few weeks could decide whether they’re part of Vrabel’s rebuild or left behind.
Here we’ll try to look at the three New England Patriots players on the roster bubble who must shine in the 2025 NFL preseason.
Every summer, there’s a long shot story to root for. This year, it’s undrafted rookie quarterback Ben Wooldridge. Unfortunately for Wooldridge, the NFL doesn’t hand out roster spots based on sentiment.
The young quarterback has struggled to adjust from college to the pros. During spring workouts, his inexperience showed. Pundits noted in his roster projections that Wooldridge simply hadn’t done enough to secure a spot. He also pointed out that the Patriots could look at other teams’ quarterback cuts to find a veteran for the QB3 role.
For Wooldridge, that’s a sobering reality. As an undrafted free agent, the bar isn’t just high. It’s almost impossible. To push for a roster spot, he’ll need to outplay every expectation in camp and show he’s worth developing behind Maye and Joshua Dobbs. Anything short of that likely lands him on the practice squad or looking for a job elsewhere.
The Patriots’ offensive line is in the middle of its own reshuffle. Seventh-round rookie Marcus Bryant is fighting to prove he belongs. Drafted out of SMU, Bryant was a developmental pick. He is someone the team envisioned as a depth tackle who could grow into a larger role over time.
However, the path to the 53-man roster won’t be easy. Will Campbell is locked in at left tackle, and veteran Morgan Moses brings stability at right tackle. That...
