Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots are back at Gillette Stadium this week as they will hold their first training camp practice of the summer on Saturday. With things now officially ramping up in preparation for the 2026 season, jobs are ready to be won throughout training camp.
Here are the top positional battles we’ll be watching on the practice fields.
The top of the Patriots running back depth chart is set with Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. The third spot behind them, however, remains up for grabs.
After getting off to a strong start last season before breaking his foot, Lan Larison appeared to be the top internal candidate this spring. But he will be pushed by seventh-round draft pick Jam Miller and highly paid undrafted free agent Myles Montgomery. Third-year pro Terrell Jennings should also remain in the mix despite beginning the summer on the non-football injury list. Special teams — particularly the kick return role — could play a significant factor in deciding the competition.
Hunter Henry is locked in as the team’s top tight end. But after the season-ending loss of free-agent addition Julian Hill, New England needs someone to emerge behind him.
Third-round rookie Eli Raridon is the top internal option, although the Notre Dame product may not be ready to immediately fill the in-line role Hill was projected to play. That could open the door for blocking specialists Tanner Arkin or C.J. Dippre, who will begin training camp on the PUP list, to earn a role. Jack Westover will also factor into the competition back at his natural position.
With plenty of uncertainty behind Henry, head coach Mike Vrabel hinted this spring that the Patriots could look outside the organization for additional help at some point this offseason.
The Patriots’ edge group continues to carry the most question marks on the roster. Those concerns only grew with veteran Harold Landry opening training camp on the PUP list while Gabe Jacas remains unsigned even after rookies reported on Tuesday.
New England could use a young player — or two — to elevate their game this summer, with Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson standing out as the top candidates after receiving significant praise from the coaching staff throughout the spring. Rookies Quintayvious Hutchins and Xavier Holmes also find themselves in the mix, while the possibility of the Patriots adding another veteran later this summer should remain on the table.
Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss return as the Patriots’ top duo along the second level of the defense. But after moving on from Jack Gibbens, Jahlani Tavai, and Marte Mapu this offseason, the depth behind them remains unsettled.
During the spring, free-agent addition K.J. Britt got off to an impressive start before dealing with a minor injury. Chad Muma, a 2022 third-round pick who joined the team last December, then wore the green dot at times in relief of Spillane. The two veterans — both...
