Patriots’ ‘Biggest Storyline’ Revealed Ahead Of Training Camp

Sound the alarm. Rally the troops. New England Patriots training camp begins tomorrow. I repeat, New England Patriots training camp begins tomorrow.

It has been 199 days (Tom Brady reference) since Joe Milton threw for 241 yards and scored two touchdowns to best the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 at Gillette Stadium. The win cost New England the first overall pick, and effectively shipped Milton out of town.

Now, six months later, the Patriots are ready to turn the page to a new era. With nearly entirely new faces in the locker room, the 2025 New England Patriots take the field for the first time tomorrow morning.

ESPN’s Mike Reiss reveals what he believes is the team’s ‘biggest storyline’.

“Nearly 50% of the roster has been turned over in Mike Vrabel’s first season as head coach, but it’s a returning player — Drake Maye — who holds the ultimate key to a successful training camp,” Reiss writes.

Drake Maye ceremoniously took the reigns in Week 6 last season. The team stuck to the plan, sitting him for the first five games, before finally letting him loose after a four game skid. Now, with a full offseason to prepare under the new regime, Reiss believes his development will be the most intriguing story to come out of Foxboro.

“Vrabel referred to Maye as a ‘young dynamic quarterback’ in his introductory news conference, saying Maye was a significant part of what made the Patriots’ head coaching job so appealing to him,” Reiss concludes. “How Maye adapts to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ scheme, and elevates those around him, will be critical in Vrabel’s plan to return New England to being a playoff contender. Joint practices with the Commanders (Jayden Daniels) and Vikings (J.J. McCarthy) will provide a measuring stick of Maye’s progress in camp.”

Drake Maye’s Success Hinges On The Offensive Line

The Pats offensive line play has been unwatchable in recent years. I’ll spare you most of the depressing statistics, but the team can expect to have at least three new starters across the front five.

Maye will be receiving snaps from longtime Vikings center Garrett Bradbury. He will have two new tackles on each side of the line. Reiss writes that this unit will be the deciding factor in how far Maye can take this team.

“The Patriots finished 31st in pass block win rate last season and were 32nd in 2023. Hence the investment in rookie projected starting left tackle Will Campbell and signing veteran right tackle Morgan Moses (three years, $24 million),” Reiss wrote.

What To Expect From Josh McDaniels Return To Coaching

Many forget that Josh McDaniels spent the 2024 season out of coaching entirely after being unceremoniously fired just eight games into his second season as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

However, it can not be understated that McDaniels was on staff for all six of the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl Championships. Many of which he served in the offensive coordinator role that he has now reprised.

This is the same coordinator that delivered Mac Jones to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season. I expect to see a pro style offense, predicated on running the football in under-center sets.

I will certainly be keeping an eye on how McDaniels- who has never really had a duel threat quarterback- integrates Maye’s running ability into the offense.

Maye registered 421 rushing yards in 11 starts, almost all of which came on scramble plays. He does not need designed runs to make a difference, but it will certainly be something to keep track of in year two.