HEAD COACH MIKE VRABEL
Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Q: Mike, in the lead-up to the game tonight, as well as the joint practices, you spoke about this being a measuring stick for your team, the battles against the Eagles. So I was just wondering, in totality, the game included, how you thought your team did?
MV: Well, first of all, I would just like to send our thoughts and prayers out for Ja'Quinden Jackson. You never like to see that. Obviously, I hope everything's okay there. That's not how you want to start any game or see anybody out there on the field like that. It's inconsistent. I think that there are some really good performances and then obviously some things that we do that hurt us, and we have to be able to eliminate those few things, those lulls or those naps that we talked about. But I felt like we really competed. The guys that were there tonight in the game competed in the second half, and I think that's probably the thing that I will take away for the last three or four days, was just the way that they competed and fed off each other and made some plays and gave up a few and then were able to come back there at the end and score and then obviously end the game on defense.
Q: Along those lines, just with everything you guys were able to do, how important is that just for everyone to feel good about it, what you put in, the work you put in, from the ones all the way down to what you saw at the end of the game?
MV: Yeah, I think obviously we always want to win. We want to win, we want to compete, but it was the competing and the fighting through some adversity and things that I needed to see from some young guys that really needed to show it pretty quickly.
Q: Just on Behren Morton, when did you guys know he could punt, and what went into that decision, and what did you think of his performance?
MV: Well, I just assume all the quarterbacks, they do their little punt thing and see how close they can get it to the goal line, so I figured he could punt. Bryce wasn't feeling great after the first two punts, so I figured instead of risking anything there with Bryce or with Andy, that Behren was able to get us out of there.
Q: We did not see TreVeyon [Henderson], [Kevin] Byard, and [Eli] Raridon during pregame warm-ups. Are those injury situations?
MV: I would say that those are individual situations that kept them out of the pre-game warm-up.
Q: With Marcus Bryant, we saw him leave the game early, and you guys immediately ruled him out. Do you have any update on him?
MV: So do not waste your question on an injury question. Yeah, I do think he just got rolled up on. I think it will be a lower leg injury, but I do not know to what extent. That is kind of what happens sometimes in those inside plays. So we will have to just take a look and see where he is at, but I will not know anything right now.
Q: We saw a lot of Jam Miller and Lan Larison tonight. Has anyone a little further down the depth chart past TreVeyon and Rhamondre [Stevenson] really distinguished themselves when you look for a number three running back to this point in the summer?
MV: One more time, Chris. Just looking at the third running back?
Q: Yeah, the third running back. Has anyone really popped? Anyone distinguished themselves?
MV: I felt like Lan certainly had a good performance, a gritty, tough performance tonight, and did some really good things. It is fourth and one, and he gets hit behind the line of scrimmage and finds a way to get the first down. And then we have another long pass, and he makes, and then he is able to break a couple tackles there in third down when we needed it at the end of the game, so he did some good things.
Q: Mike, I know you do not have the benefit of looking at the tape, but just your thoughts on maybe where Gabe Jacas is at this point. And I do not know if you saw anything tonight.
MV: I mean, I think just still inconsistent. I think that the effort is certainly there. The willingness. He is a very coachable player. We are just putting a lot on him right now as far as special teams and covering kicks and playing on kick return. We have to be able to see what he can do and what we, maybe what we feel like we can count on when the regular season comes. And I think he will just continue to improve because he has that type of attitude, and he is willing, and I know he will get back to work real quick.
Q: Mike, towards the end of the first quarter, you called a timeout, and you had the conversation with your defensive unit on the side. So, what did you see at that moment that made you feel like a conversation was needed?
MV: I saw dog [expletive] defense, and I wanted to talk to them, and I figured that if I did not call a timeout, that I would not be able to get what I wanted to say off my chest.
Q: Mike, in the big picture, how important is it to you for Drake and some of the starters to play in the final preseason game, to feel the game, or do the joint practices that you have experienced lessen the need for that?
MV: I do not think we have a very deep team, Mike, so I think we have to make sure that we are preparing our football team and that we are doing everything that we can to keep our best players available. And if that means playing Thursday as part of preparation, then that is what we will do. I have not made that decision yet, but I would say that that is something that I am confident in with where we are set up currently.
Q: How are you weighing the joint practice reps specifically for the wide receivers versus what some guys like Kyle Williams are doing in the preseason games?
MV: Well, I think that that is a great question. The guys that, you know, I just want to give Kyle as many opportunities to continue to improve and do the things that we have asked him to improve on, and he knows he needs to improve on. And I love his ability outside the numbers to be able to stretch the field. And we wanted to give him some more opportunities to be able to do that as well as work on some of the stuff that Todd and Josh have him trying to improve on. And so the guys that played or did not play, excuse me, I felt like they got a lot of work, and Kyle probably needed a little bit more work. And it was good to see Chiz (Efton Chism III) come out tonight and do some things and just try to be able to evaluate everybody as we look to build this roster.
Q: What do you think you need to learn over the next five days? And within that, what can you learn about your team?
MV: I mean, I think we just have to continue to not make the same mistakes twice. As far as some of the younger guys, we need to make new mistakes because you need to be able to count on some of these guys when we put the roster together to be able to contribute, and as we define their roles. So I think that is probably the first thing, and then we will have practice, and then we will have another game on Thursday. We have two really good days lined up I think on Monday and Tuesday. And then we will travel, and we will play in Cleveland. So those are opportunities, and then the schedule gets a little funky, and we will have to be ready to go.
Q: You mentioned you wanted to see some of the younger players, rookies fight through adversity. What specifically are you looking for, and how important is that in building their character and who they will be as individuals moving forward?
MV: Yeah, I mean, I think that this is. There are a lot of ebbs and flows of a professional football game, and how can you handle making a mistake? How can you handle getting blocked? How can you handle having a good play and then coming back and being able to do it again? And how they bounce back, how they handle different situations. What they do in live action, I think, is really critical. Thanks, guys.
QUARTERBACK TOMMY DEVITO
Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, August 22, 2026
TD: Just want to say thoughts and prayers are with Ja'Quinden [Jackson] and his family, obviously. Not something that you like to see on the field. Obviously, it's a physical game, so definitely not the way you want the game to start out. I hear he's doing better though, so thoughts and prayers with him and his family.
Q: You said that you would like to start a little quicker, cut the penalty. What did you think of that first half, and what did you think of your game tonight with the offense?
TD: Definitely some of the same stuff again. Just being ourselves, putting ourselves in tough situations. Second-and-10, that's not ideal, so still just trying to nip those little things in the bud and get better. But you can see the times where we're clicking, we're rolling. Just got to eliminate those negatives to get us rolling faster.
Q: Tommy, the touchdown pass, can you take us through it and what you saw from Kyle [Williams]?
TD: Yeah, it was great. Basically two goes, or three goes. One down the seam, two on the outside. The coverage that they played put an isolation on Kyle, so hold the safety, let him roll, had great protection. Threw it out there, hit him, and let him do the rest.
Q: You described Kyle and what you've seen of him since you joined the team, and as he grows, it seems like he's getting better at running routes and what have you. What do you like about him as a player?
TD: Twitchy. Super twitchy. You can see at any time, anybody wants to come down and press him, it's like, "good luck." We saw that last week when the dude pressed him, we threw the fade ball. His release package off the line is second to none. It's special, and I know he's still growing as a player with everything else, but it's awesome to see that, be able to play fast, use his speed, play big and do all the great things he has been doing.
Q: How about watching Behren [Morton] at the end of the game? I know you have the blender in the quarterback room, but does that get put away this week after what you saw?
TD: Oh, he certainly was not in the blender. That was awesome to see. I was so happy for him. First NFL touchdown. I know it's preseason, but first pass and touchdown is big. Something he'll remember forever. So that was special. But the way he just operated drives, I think he had two 12-play drives that ended up in touchdowns. 12-play drives are not something easy to overcome, to accomplish, to sustain throughout the field and score, let alone once, but twice. So, testament to him in pushing the guys up-front and the group around him, and finding a way to score.
Q: Tommy, we saw you moving around in the pocket a lot tonight, whether it was to run or just resetting to throw. In these practices where you can't get hit, how do you work on that? Or is this the setting where that's something that you are really focused on?
TD: This is a setting to focus on it. Because like you said, in practice, dudes will just run by you. You always get into the argument with the defense - was it a sack? Was it not a sack? You really don't know until it comes up in game situations, so this is the perfect time for that one.
Q: It felt like this week was a step forward for you from last week. Did you feel that as well, just in terms of the totality of your game tonight? How comfortable do you feel in your role with this team right now?
TD: For sure. Yeah, I feel comfortable, definitely. Like I've always said, the more reps, the better, and obviously game reps are even better, because like you just said, that's the time where you can get hit. And you like to say that everybody plays the same as they do in practice, but when those live bullets are flying, things change a little bit. So, just being able to get comfortable with the guys and everybody around me, and just keep putting our best foot forward. So, I think that, like I said, the two joint practices definitely help coming into this, and just the more competitive periods that we have for myself, the better.
Q: Tommy, from your point of view, how difficult would you say the wide receivers are making the upcoming roster decision for the coaching staff in terms of who makes the 53?
TD: Yeah, that's the best possible situation you can ask for in an organization, right? To have so many options where you have to make hard decisions like that. But again, that's just a testament to the coaching and to the guys of just coming in every day, putting their hard hats on and working, and not worrying too much about what that day is like, because I've been on the other end of that day multiple times. Been cut twice, stayed on once. So, I've been there, but the same thing I tell them, just keep your head down and work - everything will handle itself. But just enjoy the process, enjoy it while you're here. So those guys have been doing it to the fullest. They've been staying late, especially the rookies have been staying late, getting in early. Making sure that they are on top of all their stuff, and they showed it tonight.
QUARTERBACK BEHREN MORTON
PRESS CONFERENCE
August 22, 2026
Q: Behren, would you describe yourself tonight as a better quarterback or punter?
BM: First off, I want to say my thoughts and prayers go out to the Eagles. That guy (Ja'Quinden Jackson) that went down, I wish him a speedy recovery and wish nothing but the best for him. Tonight was fun. I wasn't expecting to punt. It's been since high school since I've punted, so you just got to make the most of your opportunity when it comes. So, I tried to do that tonight.
Q: Behren, can you just take us to the moment on the sideline when you realized that was actually going to happen, that you were going to punt? What was your reaction to it, and how you responded to it?
BM: Coach came up to me and just said that if we got a punt on this drive, you're going out there. I was pretty cold at the time, so I went over to the net, hit a few balls. I asked Andy [Borregales] how far do I need to stand back - he told me 15 yards, catch the ball and just put it down there. Coach [Jeremy] Springer did a good job of lining me up. He said just hit it middle, and then we'll make corrections as we go.
Q: Behren, can you just take us through the play to Nick [DeGennaro] at the end there?
BM: Yeah, it was a long drive. Hats off to the offensive line for keeping me safe, keeping me upright. Nick had a great release, avoided the corner. Looked like cover two, so I put it on the line where it was him or nobody. I didn't want to put it in a dangerous way, but Nick made a great play. Hats off to the o-line for keeping me safe.
Q: So Behren, two weeks of games for you in the NFL. Your first two, and you're put in two similar situations at the end of a game. What is it about those situations at your position that I guess you love, that challenges you in those situations?
BM: Yeah, I think playing quarterback, especially playing in the NFL, you dream of this moment, of leading your team down to have a game-winning drive. It goes back to all the hard work that we've put in through the spring when we got here, summer, and then obviously training camp. To go out there and do it, being well-prepared from coach [Josh] McDaniels, for the offense, that was big for us tonight. But there's a lot to correct from today that we can get a lot better from. So maybe we don't put ourselves in a situation where we need a game-winning drive, and we don't have to be in that position.
Q: Over on the right. How would you describe the relationship that you have with the rest of the rookie class? Do you find that you guys are pushing and motivating each other, especially when you are getting so many opportunities in these preseason games?
BM: Yeah, for sure. It is a really cool group. We have had a lot of fun just hanging out at the hotel, understanding the playbook together. So it has been a lot of fun. I have made a lot of really, really good friends that I will have lifetime relationships with. But a really special class. I am really proud of the way that the guys, we do not get a lot of reps during practice. So when we come out here, you are getting 30, 40, 50 reps a game. So paying attention and being prepared when your moment comes.
Q: How would you describe the relationship that you have with the rest of the rookie class? Do you find that you guys are pushing and motivating each other, especially when you are getting so many opportunities in these preseason games?
BM: Yeah, for sure. It's a really cool group. We've had a lot of fun just hanging out at the hotel, understanding the playbook together. So, it's been a lot of fun. I've made a lot of really, really good friends that I'll have lifetime relationships with, but — A really special class. I'm really proud of the way that the guys — We don't get a lot of reps during practice. So, when we come out here, you are getting 30, 40, 50 reps a game. So, paying attention and being prepared when your moment comes.
Q: I'm wondering, did you have any conversations with Bryce [Baringer] during the game as you were punting? Also, what kind of feedback did you get from Jeremy [Springer]?
BM: Yeah, I did. Because in high school they did not rush that fast. So, the first rush kind of threw me by surprise, and so I was like, "I need to have steps." So, I asked Bryce at halftime. I hit a few punts at halftime. He was great. Tremendous guy. He helped me out when I needed it. Coach Springer was singing the praises of doing a good job. But when the opportunity comes, I'm just trying to make the most of it.
Q: You said earlier you had not punted since high school. Is that in a game or at all? Is this something you have worked on at any point in the last few years?
BM: No, it really isn't. I did in high school and I loved it. Loved to punt and kick. I went to college, was always the backup in case anything ever happened. But it never hit me in practice for my five years at Tech. Then for my pro day, I actually punted and kicked in my pro day just to showcase that I could do that, and so that's obviously why they had an idea that I could do it. Then tonight, the opportunity came and I'm trying to make the most of it.
Q: How did you feel like it went punting at your pro day?
BM: Punting at the pro day was pretty good. Tonight I didn't hit some good punts, so I got to do better.
ADDITIONAL PATRIOTS PLAYERS
Efton Chism III, WR
(On if the competition in the wide receiver room has made him better)
"Yeah, it's been awesome. I think anytime there's competition, as a competitor, you rise up, you take that challenge on, and you just go out there and compete every day. The room we have, it's so special. It's so awesome to be a part of. Walking in the building every day, having the group we have and being able to lean on each other, compete against each other and call each other out—always just looking to try to get 1% better as a room. It's been awesome. I've been so very thankful and blessed for all those guys to continue to help me. Now I feel like I get the opportunity to help those guys where I was less than a year ago, in the same spot."
(On Kyle Williams)
"Yeah, he's a baller. He's got a great release package, and he's going to take the top off and go score. But he's been doing great things throughout the week, working on—not just the go balls—and getting better as a player. So, it's been awesome to grow with him and to lean on each other—coming in the same year and being familiar with the same spots with Washington and Washington State. It's been cool to see him grow as a player, for sure."
(On his mindset as the preseason concludes)
"Yeah, I think just because it's the last week, it shouldn't change your mindset and the way you work—so, I'm just going to continue to attack it and continue to give everything I have, no matter what the circumstances are. Since it's the last week, everyone knows it's going to be a big week. But like I said, it shouldn't change your mindset and the way you attack your work."
Nick DeGennaro, WR
(On what his touchdown meant)
"Yeah, it was awesome. But first of all, just praying for Ja'Quinden, the player who got hurt on that first kickoff return. We were all praying for him on the sideline, thoughts and prayers. I hear he is okay, which is great. That is not how you want to start a game nor happen in a game at all. So I am really glad he is okay. Glory to God for that. But as far as that moment, I thank Behren for slinging the rock that well. He commanded the huddle in that two minutes. We had some adversity, and he did a great job, and I was just the guy on the receiving end. It was an awesome experience."
(On his feelings about being an undrafted rookie standing at the podium after scoring a touchdown)
"It is pretty cool. I mean, being up here in New England is, it is funny that, ever since I was a kid, they were like, "At the very least, he is going to get a shot with the Patriots," for obvious reasons. But it has been really cool. The culture here is just unbelievable. As somebody who does not know any other organization, coming from college, it is something that is totally different, and it makes you want to work hard, and it makes you want to be better every day in the little things. And I am not just saying that as a PR answer. I really mean it with Coach Vrabel, Elliott, all the way from the top down. It is a really good culture, and it is something that is super challenging, and it is super deep. But it is something that has made me better as a player and a man. And it has been great."
(On making the most of his few reps at practice)
"You know, it feels really good when you have a good rep, and it feels really bad when you do not have a good rep, and that is what it is as a competitor. As somebody in a room like this, as a rookie who is an undrafted guy, I do not really mean anything to the room yet. So like I said, with limited opportunities, when it is good, it is good, and when it is bad, you lose sleep at night sometimes. But that is everybody, I would say. Even if you had 100 reps, the nature of a competitor is that that one rep you do not have, you want back, and you overlook all the good ones. And so for me, as somebody who is just trying to maximize my opportunities, I think I have done a decent job. But also there is plenty to correct, and there is an amazing support system with these coaches that are real. They are open and vulnerable, and they tell you the truth, and that helps you get better. So just trying to maximize what I can as long as I am here."
(On how being apart of the Patriots organization has impacted his NFL dream and reality)
"It is just, overall, as far as that NFL dream, everybody has got to do a job and work hard at it, and this is just the job I want to do and work hard at as long as I can. And I know it is a really tough thing to do, and it is not my will. It is the Lord's will, of course. I cannot control so many things, let alone control what I can control as a wide receiver, whether it is getting the ball or certain routes you run. So everything, a lot of this is up to powers that are not myself. And so for me, all I can do is keep a level head and stay humble and just work hard. And whatever opportunity I have, try to maximize and let the chips fall where they may."
Caleb Lomu, T
(On what skill he has been working on in the offseason)
"Yeah. I'm not going to go out there and name a whole bunch, but really just physicality is the biggest thing. Going out there and being able to compete with the guys on the field. [They are] amazing guys I'm going against right now, but once the real season comes, it's going to be another level of playing. Always bringing that physicality on every play that I do, is the biggest thing."
(On where his most comfortable position is on the field)
"I don't know. I just love playing football, anywhere on the field. Where I want to be is wherever they need me, is where I'll go. I've said it multiple times. I just love playing. I love this team. Wherever they think it'll be best for me to go, is where I'll go."
(On stopping Eagles player Tarron Jackson on the line)
"Yeah. We worked on it all week, on how their fronts do that a lot. Just like practice, we saw them do it in practice. So, it was just natural to be able to see that in the game, and make the calls that we needed to have to be able to go out to him and pick him up."
(On the importance of finishing blocks)
"Very important. For me, it's one of the things I work on the most to try to show that I have physicality out there on the field. But, just as an offensive linemen, that's the biggest thing. Being able to see if you can finish at the end of the play, give that last shove, bury them in the dirt. That is where you need to be at to be an offensive linemen. So, it is one of the biggest things for sure."
Lan Larison, RB
(On whether he considers himself a rookie after missing most of last season)
"Yes and no. In terms of experience, definitely not. I mean, I'm still learning and seeing new things every single day. So, again, just taking it day-by-day."
(On the coach praising him when asked about the depth in the running back room)
"I just gotta keep going – it wasn't all just me, it was the line as well, and the team. We competed really well tonight, and it was fun. It was a good time."
(On Behren Morton's punt)
"Yeah, I didn't even know he was back there. I turned around and Julian [Ashby] was like, 'Behren just kicked it through the end zone.' I thought that was pretty cool. And I was like, 'Have you punted before?' He's like, 'Not since high school.' So, that's pretty cool."
Hassan Haskins, RB
(On how special teams factors into his role, given his kick return history)
"I always did special teams, even in college. I did kick return in the league for a while, so I'm confident in doing whatever the coaches need me to do."
(On what he was doing before getting the call from the Patriots)
"Man, I was working out with my trainer in Nashville. We were pretty much going every day, and I was waiting on the call. Thank God they called me up. Now I'm here."
(On how he feels he can contribute to the team this season)
"Whatever the coaches need me to do, I'm going to do it. Special teams, win a ball, block, whatever. I'm going to give it my all and just do whatever it takes to win."
Gabe Jacas, LB
(On the improvements has from his first to second game)
"Yeah, I would say special teams for sure. From game one to game two, I was on all four. So that was definitely an improvement for me, just honing in on special teams and doing what I was coached. So, I think the coaches could see that from game one to game two."
(On what he has improved upon since the start of training camp)
"Yeah, just speed of the game, first and foremost. Just coming off the ball aggressive, recognizing the backfield sets, and getting on keys pre-snap and what I can anticipate before the ball is snapped. So, that alone right there just allows me to play faster and a lot more physical. So, those are things that I'll say for myself that I've improved on."
(On what he's been working on to improve his game)
"Yeah, just the little things. First of all, just alignment, hand placement, looking at backfield sets—all the little things that not only my coach (Mike Smith), but also Vrabes (Mike Vrabel), also talks about. So, things like that I can work on, and I continue to work on."
Kyle Williams, WR
(On his touchdown reception)
"Yeah, we got the look that we wanted. Press coverage—something that I really enjoy to see. Tommy [DeVito] took a chance on me. What a great throw, honestly. We have been on point this whole camp, so it was good just to see it connect and strike the band."
(On his focus for development in year two)
"Being physical for sure, and just the comfortability into the system. Being comfortable in different places in my role and being able to just take that with a whole lot of accountability towards that. Just being comfortable and just making good decisions for real."
(On showcasing what he can do in a crowded wide receiver room)
"I have always been confident in my game—just being consistent, honestly. That's all it is—being consistent. We have a great group of guys. It's always competition. It's competitive, but it's friendly competition. Nobody gets mad at anybody. It's iron sharpening iron at the end of the day. So, I'm really glad to have these great group of guys—great vets from top down. So, it's just a fun room to be in."
(On what goes into his touchdown play and if getting behind the defense is his biggest asset)
"It's something that I'm good at, I would say. I wouldn't say it's my biggest asset—but, it's something I'm good at. Honestly, all 11 players have got to be on the same page. From the QB making the right Mike point, to the line being able to hold up their blocks. Without them, that play wouldn't even be made. I just did my 1/11th, and everybody else did theirs, and that is how those big plays come to fruition."
(On if he feels like he is improving every day at practice)
"Oh yeah, for sure. Day by day, brick by brick. If I feel like I wasn't getting better, that would be shooting myself in the foot. I have got to give it to the coaches, the players, obviously the vets, they push me. Even Drake [Maye], Tommy [DeVito]—everybody around me pushes me, and it's the same thing vice versa. So, when you have a great group of guys that worry and care about your growth as a player, the sky's the limit. So, for me, it's just approaching every day like it's my last and just trying to get better. Take it stride by stride."
