HEAD COACH MIKE VRABEL
Postgame Press Conference
Friday, August 8, 2025
Q: I'm guessing you don't want us to make any bust for Canton for TreVeyon Henderson. I'm guessing you think he might have gotten off to kind of a good Patriots debut today and got the team rolling?
MV: I think that was one of the phases that we talked that was going to be so critical. It's hard to really rep full speed. We got a few of 'em against Washington. I think we saw some things that we can improve on. That's exactly what we did. I think TreVeyon read it out and hit the hole and everybody else blocked and finished and did all those good things. It's a step in the right direction. I think it's exciting. We talk about how critical a phase of a game is going to be, to be able to come out here and work on it.
Q: It looked like Efton Chism [III] got off to a good start tonight. What stood out to you?
MV: I think his play strength stood out to me from the sideline. I think it's the way he blocks, his ability to catch the ball in traffic. The ball was basically tipped or bobbled coming out of Ben's hand. Kind of ran through a tackle and ran through contact. We threw him a screen. So those are all positive things. I think his play strength to me is what stood out.
Q: Thoughts on Drake [Maye]'s performance. I am sure the turnover probably annoyed you with what he did.
MV: Are you asking and answering a question at the same time? Is that what you're doing?
Q: I got you. Your thoughts?
MV: I would say you about summed it up. That's a bad decision. I think we're going to need better from him. I think he knows that. That's obvious. It wasn't there. We just have to be able to find a way to get rid of the football or take a sack and punt and play defense. But to the defense's credit, they forced a field goal I think that was missed maybe. It was a sudden-change opportunity.
Q: DJ James continues to have a solid summer. Your impression of him and the interception tonight?
MV: I think it's always exciting to see players that take advantage of opportunities. Since DJ was one of the players that was here for rookie minicamp, I would say since that day, that weekend, he's continued to improve. I think he's taken advantage of that. So I'm always for players that get better, take coaching. It's on them obviously to improve. That's all to DJ's credit. So, I'm excited for him, that he can put in the work and start to see it translate onto the field.
Q: I can't imagine a lot of instances of you going outside the stadium 90 minutes before kickoff. How important was it for you to be at Tom [Brady]'s ceremony? What was it like for you being there and getting quickly back into game mode?
MV: I think it made it a little easier just because it's a pre-season game and there's maybe probably not as much going on. I mean, there's still the schedule and everything, meeting with the officials, the team and the coaches. I mean, it was always important for me to be out there. You saw the amount of people that were there to support him, people on the Commanders' side, former teammates. Just having somebody like that be a part of this organization, pretty unique, pretty special. Glad that I was able to be a part of it for a little bit.
Q: With Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, how do you think they did on the left side? Seemed on the fumble they might have missed the block, but at the same time they were pushing guys forward.
MV: I think the play demeanor showed. I think there was a game, maybe a pass-rush game, that looked like to me, and those are some things that we'll continue to work hard on. We were able to pick 'em up in the practice. They ran a few of 'em over there against us in practice. We just have to be able to carry that execution into the game. I certainly did see their play demeanor kind of stand out. I think that's a good place to start, is with that. Being downfield, finishing through the whistle and everything, we embrace that here.
Q: We saw Ja'Lynn Polk leave for the locker room after the carry. Update on him?
MV: No, no update right now. He'll get more testing and see our doctors. Wasn't able to finish the game.
Q: Obviously you want to establish consistency in the pre-season and in training camp. How important is it for you that on this first game only two penalties for 15 yards?
MV: Well, we had a couple that were really offsetting. We still fouled. It wasn't like we were really, really clean. I thought operationally we were pretty good. Felt like everybody was on the same page, substitution, getting in and out of the huddle. They don't huddle. They sub. Sometimes they stand over it, sometimes they don't. I felt like defensively that was a good challenge for us to be able to play a game like that with a team that really doesn't want to huddle. But when you can have that many — we had a few kickoff returns and did not have any penalties there. We had the one that was offsetting on the punt. Those are critical because there's so much field position that gets changed when you have penalties on punt returns and kickoff returns. It's a good start. It's a good start for everything that we were talking about. Give us some more to coach. We have to tackle better. We have to throw the football better going forward. I thought this was a good place to start.
Q: Javon Baker made a couple of special teams tackles. I thought you were encouraged by that on the sideline. Is it good to see someone who's trying to contribute in more than one phase in terms of trying to make the team?
MV: Yeah, I think that's fantastic. When you have players, especially receivers, that can create a role, that can help you, be big, physical, everything that we see out of Javon as a receiver, when they can embrace that as special teams players, guys that are big and physical and fast and willing, that translates to special teams. Excited. Just happy for Javon just being able to go out there and contribute. When you do those things, your teammates get excited. Hopefully his confidence continues to grow.
Q: You mentioned the passing game is something you can improve. Obviously it's early, but what do you think contributed to that?
MV: I mean, I think the way that the game kind of unfolded with the kickoff, going for a touchdown. Defensive turnover. I felt like we had some opportunities. Maybe the ball was batted. I thought we had C.J. [Dippre] for a touchdown there. He was open. Then just the protection, I guess, on the third down. Wasn't like we had a whole lot of opportunities early. We were able to kind of convert and score running the football. Drake scrambled, right? Again, I'm all for him using his ability to run when it's there. You saw him slide. You saw him be able to run in the end zone. Maybe just kind of how the game unfolded early. We hit some passes late. I think Ben settled down. I was excited to see him settle down, hit some passes. John Jiles who busts his tail to block and play special teams, had a huge catch there. Felt everybody played, which I'm excited for. We talked about there were some players that didn't get to play or practice on Wednesday, they were going to get an opportunity on Friday night. I was happy to see them take advantage of it and proud that they could be excited about it. Thanks, guys.
QUARTERBACK DRAKE MAYE
Postgame Press Conference
Friday, August 8, 2025
Q: A thought on getting out there, stadium, Tom Brady night, the game action?
DM: Yeah, I think shout out to the fans. It was a great turnout. Felt like a real game atmosphere. Get the same jitters going out there. Obviously a big celebration for No. 12. That's pretty cool statue they put out there. I was able to listen to a little bit of his speech. It was pretty cool. Honoring him, what he's done for this organization, speaks for itself. But for the fans, they showed out. I think what the guys did tonight, everybody playing, playing hard, blocking, tackling, running around I think just kind of for full four quarters. I thought we kept playing. I think we're kind of starting to build something, that we're going to start to build an identity. That's what coach is talking about. I got to do my part of protecting the football, so...
Q: I know you were very complimentary of Efton Chism [III] over the spring. From the sideline, what did you see from him and maybe his overall growth?
DM: Yeah, he's a baller. I mean, he loves coming up and asking me questions about routes. He loves talking football. He's just a football player. You saw him tonight making plays. Glad he got in the end zone. Almost got in the end zone again on the screen. Got chased down. Blocking hard, doing all the right things. That's what we're preaching in the offensive room: keep doing things the right way, keep showing up, you're going be rewarded.
Q: How disappointing was it to start with that fumble?
DM: I was excited to get out there. TreVeyon [Henderson] takes it the hundred yards. It was pretty sweet. Yeah, you got a little bit of a drive going. Third down. Yeah, just can't do that on my first time out. Glad we responded well that next drive. Yeah, same time I'm glad it's something that I can control. But at the end of the day you just can't put the defense in that position when games matter, during the season. I told those guys it's on me, we got to get back out there. Glad I was able to get another series going.
Q: Drake, as quarterback one of the top priorities in the pre-season is avoiding contact. When it comes to using your legs, how much is the balance of I don't want to take off running, get too much contact, versus if they're going to give me all that green grass, got to take it?
DM: When they play man, they're down in the red zone, sitting back in zone, playing two I, I got to play football. That's my natural instinct. Obviously wish you could have hit some more passes. At the same time thought we were running the ball well all night. There's an even balance of them accounting for me being able to run a little bit. Thought I got down on the first third down scramble. The red zone, like I said, we go out there and play football.
Q: Take us your reaction to seeing TreVeyon [Henderson]?
DM: I think it's different with the kickoff rule now. Teams are going to want to tackle, not get 35-yard line. It's going to be a chance for some returns. He's like a lightning bolt. I saw the crease, knew he was gone. Pretty cool the first time he touches the football, it's a touchdown. Credit to the guys that did the blocking up front. That's special teams and all three phases. Special teams got a chance to be big for us this year.
Q: Back to the end of the first drive. Plays like that where you're trying to extend, do you feel like that's more just instinct, reflex, or is there a deliberate thought on what you were trying to do?
DM: Oh, yeah, it's instinct. First time I've gotten hit since, shoot, back in week 17. It's instinctive. Try to do my best to not get hit. I'm going to do my part of standing there, delivering throws. I know it's going to happen. Yeah, just instinctive, playing football. Obviously try to get the ball in the other guys' hands because they're better runners than I am. It keeps the defense honest.
Q: In your first answer you mentioned the optimism you have with the group this year. Is it possible to sense for who and what this team is this early, and what's driving that optimism?
DM: Yeah, I mean, you just got to continue to work at it every day, every week. Learn from it, learn from the tape. That's the biggest thing I've seen these guys, they want to get better. They're asking questions. A lot of football talk around in the locker room. I think that's just something you like seeing. These guys, like I said, we want to win. It starts with the head coach, the intensity. You see the guys up front. First offensive line group, wasn't even me, I was tossing it, handing it off, watching them set the tone early up front. That kind of gets me excited, gets me pumped up. You see guys talking trash till the whistle. That's what you want around the locker room. You want those guys. It's easy for me to get excited playing with guys like that beside me.
Q: When you think about Rhamondre [Stevenson] and TreVeyon [Henderson] and Antonio [Gibson], how would you sort of describe the way they complement each other from your view?
DM: Yeah, I think it's tough on the defense. They all can make you miss. They can run over you. They can catch balls out of the backfield. It's going to be challenging for us on when to use 'em, how to use 'em, getting 'em the ball. Got to get those guys open in space. They're great football players. See two of them on the kickoff return. I don't know who they're going to kick it to. Pretty big ones tonight. Excited to have them beside me. I think the best thing about them, they're smart. They're good running the football, that's obvious. But routes. I think they're willing to back. That's something you look for in a quarterback, is he going up in the A gap, I got to do this. These guys are going like, I'm going to protect the guy behind me. Like I said, it's pretty cool. Fires me up. Thank y'all.
Will Campbell, Offensive Tackle
(On first game action of the season…)
"Yeah, it was awesome, being able to get out there, compete with those other guys, and play in the stadium. Super cool to get out there and experience the environment."
(On encouraging signs and getting into a rhythm…)
"Yeah, I think so. Stuff to learn from, stuff to clean up, good to get out there, for the first game, you know, feel it out. You know, just continue to stack."
(On putting up nearly 50 points…)
"Yeah, we came out here and tried to put our best foot forward, and everybody was ready to play today."
Efton Chism III, Wide Receiver
(On his thoughts on his NFL debut…)
"It was awesome. Super surreal. You kind of walk out of the tunnel with everyone; it's been a blessing to be here. I don't take it for granted. I got to go out there and play. So, definitely super awesome, super thankful for the opportunity."
(On balancing the pressure of making the most of every opportunity without letting it get to him…)
"I think at the end of the day, it's football. We've been playing our whole lives, and for me, I kind of just think about it like I'm back at my high school or back at my college, and go out there and just play, let loose, be free. Because once you start overthinking, overanalyzing stuff, it kind of can catch up to you. So, just kind of being loose, being free and just going out and playing."
(On his mentality as a blocker and why it's important to his game…)
"I mean, it kind of started in high school. My coaches were always on us about blocking. We're never going to get the ball if we don't block, so I kind of always just carried that over and just doing all the little details. I feel like just being a receiver that can block, that can open up opportunities to get on the field. So, whatever I can do to help the team, I feel like I've said it before, but if I'm blocking, if I've got to fold, cross-block, whatever it is, man, I love blocking. So, just trying to be around the game."
(On Head Coach Mike Vrabel complimenting his play strength and the pride he takes in it…)
"Yeah, I think any time you get a compliment from a head coach, it's definitely an honor. So, I appreciate that from him. But I feel like just playing hard, that's kind of what I pride myself on. The little details, going out there and doing everything I can to my full ability. So, I feel like when I got the ball, I got to kind of show that. But even how we talk about my blocking, I try to show that in the blocking, in the route running, whatever it is, just kind of playing hard."
(On how he would sum up camp and how he navigates it…)
"Absolutely. Definitely ups and downs, just being a rookie, trying to understand the NFL and the different defenses, the terminology, the business side, trying to just deal with that. But man, it's been the biggest blessing and the biggest honor to be here and to play in the National Football League. I don't think – I'm not taking it for granted. I hope the guys in the locker room aren't either. But man, we're the 1% of the 1%, just taking that each day and opportunity that presents itself, trying to take advantage of it."
TreVeyon Henderson, Running Back
(On what it was like to have a dream moment like the kickoff return touchdown…)
"Yeah, like I said, man, I just thank God, because this is something since I was a little kid – something I've just been dreaming about, to be in this position, to be in this opportunity. And so, I'm thankful. I'm just trying to take advantage of every opportunity that I get. And so – but, man, it's amazing, to be here, to be at an organization like this such as the Patriots. And so, yeah, I'm excited to go forward with the season."
(On what was going through his mind when his kickoff return run was starting and what point he realized he had an opportunity to score…)
"Honestly, before it's a lot of nerves, and so I try to take the time before the game to just pray and cast my words, give it to God and just ask that He just may have His way. Whatever He wants, however it goes, that I may just come out of it thankful, no matter what. And so – but when I got the ball – yeah, honestly, like I said, I wasn't even expecting that, and when I saw the crease, it was on from there."
(On how a young player like himself manages consistency at this level every day…)
"Being in the NFL, being a young guy, second-round draft pick, it's a lot of pressure and sometimes it's hard with all that pressure being on you, but the biggest thing is, I try to keep my eyes on the Lord. I know, no matter what happens, I can come out here and give it everything that I got, and whether I have a good practice, bad practice, good game, bad game, I know God loves me and He's always here with me. And so, that just motivates me to keep going every day. I have my ups and downs as well, some practices are good, some practices are bad, but I just try to keep learning and getting better."
(On how he sees himself, Antonio Gibson and Rhamondre Stevenson complementing one another…)
"Yeah, I think we do a good job of just feeding off one another's energy. I know in practice, those guys motivate me. You don't always come out of practice motivated, but seeing the other guys go and just competing with the other guys, it pushes me a lot, it helps me get going. And the same with the game, I know it's just one game so far, but just seeing Rhamondre start off, seeing Antonio getting in there, just feeding off that energy, I think we all do a good job of doing so.
D.J. James, Cornerback
(On his interception and what he saw…)
"Just going through my ready, start, down. Just thinking stick concepts. Seeing the receiver raise his chest, so that gave me an indicator of just the type of route he was going to run, and I just trusted my instincts from there, and it took over."
(On how important it is for him to make a statement for himself for why he belongs on the team with Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III not playing…)
"Each and every day, I try to come in and just show my teammates and coaches that I'm someone who wants to be on this team, someone that wants to just help improve this team, and just ready to come to work every day and be a great teammate."
(On where he's been mentally and his confidence and how much fun he has been having…)
"Just taking it each and every day, learning the scheme, talking to my coaches – they've really helped me a lot coming along away, just pushing me each and every day. And also my teammates, I've got to thank my guys on the other side of the ball as well. They push me every day during camp just for these moments here."
(On how he would sum up his NFL journey…)
"Really just taking it day-by-day. Everybody's story's different and just waiting on that opportunity to just showcase myself and that time has come, and so I'm blessed to have that opportunity."
Rhamondre Stevenson, Running Back
(On the running back room…)
"Yeah I feel like we all do things a little different. I think we all pick little things from each other's games, so I think that is going to be great for everybody."
(On being able to mentor TreVeyon Henderson…)
"Yeah, Trey's a great kid. Just a good guy off the field. We have a lot of conversations that are not even football related. Great guy, and I am just excited for him."
Kyle Williams, Wide Receiver
(On his room for improvement…)
"I feel like there's a lot more room for me to grow. I'm not complacent. I definitely want a lot more, so I know I'm going to have to get back in here and continue to work hard."
(On the impact of Tom Brady giving a jersey to him…)
"I mean, I think if you don't know about Tom Brady, then you need to look at yourself in the mirror. I mean, he's an icon to the sport, so, you know, when you have certain people like that that give me those types of messages, it lets you know you're doing the right thing and that you have the traits and the qualities to take your game to the next level."
Craig Woodson, Safety
(On his time at California instilling fundamentals for the NFL…)
"I mean, everybody there, I feel like they really set us up for success when we come here. The way that they run that program, the way that they teach certain things. We watch a lot of NFL tape in meetings. So, I think it's translated."
(On whether different defensive roles felt easier or more challenging…)
"I feel like everything has just been challenging a little bit. These quarterbacks make those throws, they're right on the money and everything is timing, so I think that's definitely different, in regards to just playing safety, being in the box or being at free safety. I've done both of them at [California], so I think I was just familiar with that there."
(On the importance of a free safety's role…)
"At the end of the day, instinct plays a big part in there. When it comes to safety, instincts and doing a lot of film studying, seeing different things, and you can kind of anticipate what might come."
