Notes and thoughts on the Patriots’ one-time captain, defensive line investments, trade speculation, and more.

With the second week of organized team activities in the rear-view mirror, the New England Patriots’ offseason keeps rolling along. And even though we find ourselves in what is often referred to as a quiet time on the NFL calendar, there is still plenty going on around One Patriot Place.

With that in mind, let’s clean out the notebook on the week that was. Welcome to the latest edition of our Sunday Patriots Notes.

Passionate Jabrill Peppers is back in his element

One of...

Stefon Diggs had an eventful week while the New England Patriots continued OTAs at Gillette Stadium.

Diggs entered headlines when a viral video of him on a boat during Memorial Day weekend swirled around the internet and drew a response from Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. At the end of an eventful week, Diggs took to Instagram with several other photos from the month of May.

“To the month of May, I appreciate you none the less,” Diggs wrote. “… Gotta stay focused (fingers crossed emoji).”

You can check out Diggs’ post here.

Diggs did take part in other areas...

The New England Patriots are all in to begin their next chapter with franchise quarterback Drake Maye under center.

Knowing the future of the franchise rests on Maye’s arm, New England reshuffled the quarterback room by signing veteran signal-caller Joshua Dobbs and shipping last year’s sixth-round pick, Joe Milton III, to the Dallas Cowboys.

Even though Milton admitted he was surprised by the trade, he considered the move a blessing.

“Coming here was a blessing,” Milton told reporters on Thursday, per team-provided video. “I didn’t know it was going to be here. My agent said it was multiple teams that...

Our offseason countdown continues with the No. 5 Best Patriots Moment of 2024.

We’re officially into the slowest time on the NFL calendar, so I’m going to do my best to take advantage of these next few weeks so I can get this Top 10 list done and dusted. Only five to go.

The list so far:

10. Jerod Mayo out, Mike Vrabel in.
9. Drake Maye hits Austin Hooper for a 38-yard TD on 4th-and-15 against the Miami Dolphins.
8. Joey Slye nails a 63-yard field goal to close out the half against the San Francisco 49ers.
7. **A...

Kayshon Boutte is operating under some odd circumstances entering his third season with the New England Patriots.

It’s no sure thing that he cracks the roster, despite being one of the club’s most productive wide receivers last season.

New England added some serious depth to its position group this offseason, with Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins and rookie Kyle Williams expected to immediately become difference-makers in their first season with the franchise. DeMario Douglas will continue to serve as the primary slot option, while Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker have a step up based on contract value and recent...

The New England Patriots haven’t had a winning season since 2021.

Jabrill Peppers is yet to have one entering his ninth NFL season and his fourth in New England.

The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants didn’t win many games in his first two stops around the league and the Patriots have finished well under .500 with three straight playoff absences.

New England is due for improvement in a fresh season with head coach Mike Vrabel and several roster enhancements. The veteran defender hopes that this 2025 team can string together a path to the postseason and focus on the...

Daily news and links for Friday

TEAM TALK

• Evan Lazar shares 17 thoughts through two open OTA sessions. ‘The development of Drake Maye under the guidance of Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels is the team’s biggest storyline. ... From this perspective, Maye is exhibiting some expected indecisiveness in the early stages of installing a new offense.’
• Patriots Unfiltered: OTA observations, Stand out players, music. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Justin Leger relays Phil Perry on Drake Maye’s demeanor so far at Patriots OTAs [It’s good]. Perry also compares Maye to Mac Jones at OTAs.
• Matthew Schmidt notes...

The latest edition of our Patriots mailbag answers questions about the receivers, offensive line and more.

As the offseason rolls on, the New England Patriots will wrap up their second week of OTAs on Friday which included a session open to the media on Wednesday.

So let’s talk about it all and get right into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.

***It was feeling like twelve receivers in camp was overkill, but with Diggs already putting one foot in the doghouse and not being at the last practice, Baker already seeming clueless and a couple of guys still not available, does it...

Craig Woodson has already earned some respect in and around One Patriot Place.

Woodson, who spent six seasons at California before being taken in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, brings a different background to the table than many of his fellow rookies. The Patriots probably reached for him based on the consensus boards, but his leadership and on-field versatility are some of the most impressive traits in the entire class.

Patriots vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden was complimentary of the rookie in the immediate aftermath of the draft. NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry [came away...

The Stefon Diggs era in New England is off to an inauspicious start, and first-year Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has a decision to make.

Diggs was noticeably absent from OTAs this week at Gillette Stadium after the receiver was seen partying on a boat in videos that surfaced earlier in the week. Most troubling for the Patriots and perhaps Diggs was the former Pro Bowler was seen with some sort of pink powdery substance while on camera.

Vrabel tried to put out the fire the best he could when meeting with reporters, but it sounds like the story might...

Previewing the Patriots quarterback heading into his first season with the team.

After he lost his starting job to Drake Maye early in the 2024 season, it became clear that now-backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett would not be back with the New England Patriots in 2025. As a consequence, the team set out to find a new veteran to team up with the former first-round draft pick.

It found one in Joshua Dobbs. The career journeyman signed a two-year free agency deal to join the Patriots and reunite with his one-time head coach, Mike Vrabel.

Hard facts

Name: Joshua Dobbs...

Daily news and links for Thursday

TEAM TALK

• Patriots will celebrate the career of David Andrews on Monday, June 2.
• Mike Dussault reports how Mike Vrabel set the tone as the Patriots conducted another high-energy OTA practice on Wednesday.
• Highlight: Drake Maye throws deep to Kyle Williams and DeMario Douglas from Wednesday OTA.
• Photos: Patriots OTAs from May 27.
• Alexandra Francisco reports Pats dietitian Ted Harper earned a prestigious award for excellence in sports nutrition
• Press Conference: Mike Vrabel (11 min. video) - Kayshon Boutte, Christian Elliss, Jabrill Peppers, and Robert Spillane (16 min....