Patriots links 7/09/26: AlijahVera-Tucker, risk or steal?

TEAM TALK

• Patriots announce dates for 2026 Training Camp: Veterans set to report on Friday, July 24, with first public practice scheduled for Saturday, July 25.

LOCAL LINKS

• Patriots On SI ranks the top 25 Patriots of 2026. No. 16 OT Will Campbell should be all healthy after a nasty MCL injury that hampered his success in the playoffs, and has a lit fire under him heading into 2026.
• Hector Longo wonders how happy are the Patriots with ‘Tommy Cutlets’ as their backup? QB Tommy DeVito has clear shot to lock down spot behind Drake Maye, if he is up to the task.
• Sara Marshall explains how New England’s biggest free agency risk might actually become their most notable steal. “Alijah Vera-Tucker has high expectations to live up to in his first year with the Patriots.”
• Graham Wilker notes the NFL listed Kayshon Boutte’s catch vs. Texans as the 6th best catch of 2025. “While Mike Vrabel and company would likely love to keep Boutte around in 2026, it feels quite unlikely that will be the case.”
• Matt Legros looks at who will be the X-factor to swing the 2026 season in Patriots’ favor.
• Sara Marshall highlights former Jets LB turned analyst Bart Scott who says the Patriots should probably be receiving more Super Bowl hype now that they have A.J. Brown.
• Ethan Hurwitz hears from former Patriots QB Mac Jones on what facing Tom Brady was like.
• Jordy McElroy notes Mac Jones admits Josh McDaniels leaving impacted him with Patriots.
• Khari Thompson recaps 4 standout moments from Tom Brady’s appearance on New Heights.
• Lauren Campbell highlights Tom Brady from the “New Heights” podcast, explaining that while all seven are special in their own way, Super Bowl XLIX stands out the most.
• Patriots Wire posts Round 2 of the Great American Tailgate Challenge: Lobster rolls vs. sausage. Pats fans, cast your vote for shot at $1000 prize. /I have Lobster roll taste on a sausage budget.
• All-32 NFL podcast: Mike Giardi and Andy Hart discuss who is under more pressure this season Mike Vrabel or Drake Maye? (38 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Kalan Hooks (ESPN) Drake Maye makes surprise cameo at Noah Kahan’s Boston show.
• Jeremy Fowler (ESPN) Execs, coaches, scouts rank top defensive tackles for 2026. No. 9 Milton Williams.
• Matt Verderame (SI) Ranking the NFL’s five best guard duos for 2026. No Pats.
• Eva Geitheim, et al (SI) Ranking the 10 best cornerbacks in the NFL. No. 4 Christian Gonzalez.
• Bill Barnwell (ESPN) How are Super Bowl-level NFL rosters built at each position? Patriots included.
• Josh Edwards (CBS Sports) Veterans set to experience a resurgence in 2026. No Pats.
• Jacob Camenker (USA Today) Ranking NFL’s hot seat QBs for 2026: Who faces most pressure to deliver? No. 28 “Coldest seats”: Drake Maye.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady: Receiver drama is like Real Housewives of the NFL.
• **Frank...