The Patriots offense continues to stack days during organized team activities, with media attending Monday's session where QB Drake Maye and company were clicking.
Before practice got underway, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and the assistant coaches spoke to reporters. The Pats OC discussed the offense's progress, new wrinkles added to the playbook, and Maye's growth in the system a few weeks into the offseason program.
McDaniels noted that the coaching staff is introducing new elements to the playbook. Offensively, New England's staff, led by head coach Mike Vrabel, features a diverse blend of coaches with various backgrounds. For example, pass-game coordinator/tight ends coach Thomas Brown has worked in West Coast schemes under Sean McVay and Frank Reich, QB coach Ashton Grant was in Cleveland with Vrabel last season, WR coach Todd Downing and RB coach Tony Dews have familiarity with Vrabel's offenses in Tennessee, and OL coach Doug Marrone has over two decades of coaching experience. As a result, there's a good flow of ideas.
"We're putting plays in today that I don't have much experience doing, but I know that they're good for our team. These guys have a lot of experience doing those things where they've been," McDaniels said. "We're a first-year staff together, and we're all just grinding away trying to make sure that we're ready each day. They've done a tremendous job with their position groups, and I really enjoy the process.
"When you take a lot of people from different backgrounds, they have such good experience and wisdom, it makes a lot of sense for me to learn from them. That stuff is going to be used to help our team produce more points, more yards, more first downs, and hopefully good plays," McDaniels continued.
Along with building out the playbook in the spring, McDaniels is also a leading voice in second-year QB Drake Maye's development. The Pats offensive coordinator said Maye is "doing really well" as he learns a new playbook heading into his second season in the NFL.
"He's very smart and works really hard. The quarterback room, in general, is really, really good in terms of putting the time and effort in at this point of the year," McDaniels said. "[Maye] is doing a really good job of digesting information, processing the corrections when there is a correction to be made, and going out there with a great attitude."
In particular, one thing that has stood out to McDaniels about Maye is how the Patriots quarterback avoids repeating errors.
"He does a really good job of listening. When you go out there the next time and see the same kind of look or the same problem the defense presents to you, he's a quick study on that, and that's a good thing for a young player," McDaniels stated.
Following McDaniels's press conference, Maye was extremely sharp, completing a string of passes during full team drills. The Pats quarterback completed passes to WR Kayshon Boutte, undrafted rookie Efton Chism, and dropped it in the bucket on a pretty wheel route to RB Rhamondre Stevenson. In earlier open OTAs, the offense experienced some growing pains in the early stages of the spring. On Monday, Maye and the offense were clicking.
"I'm learning more and more about him every single day. He's going to place high expectations on himself. We're certainly going to want to get the best result out of our quarterback position every play that we can," said McDaniels.
Rookies Making Progress: Pats Assistants Discuss Growth of First-Year Players
Along with McDaniels's thoughts on the offense as a whole, the offensive assistants also shared the progress being made by New England's rookies. Mainly, their highly drafted first-year players.
Beginning with first-round pick Will Campbell, it's difficult to assess the execution of the offensive line in non-padded practices. However, Marrone explained where he has seen Campbell improve since the coaching staff began working with him after he was selected No. 4 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. To this point, Campbell has exclusively repped at left tackle, the position he started three seasons in college at LSU.
"It's been good. We're working really a ton on the details and fundamentals. He's got a lot of reps, and the way Coach Vrabel has the practices set up, we've gotten a lot of great work against our defense," said Marrone. "We're looking at an overall assessment. When players first come in from college to the NFL, the game is quite different. I'm excited that he's out here every day, doing everything he can, and that's all you can ask for from a player."
Next on the list is second-round RB TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson's straight-line burst and wiggle have caught the eye this spring, as has his versatility to make an impact as a runner and receiver from all over the formation.
"He's a smart, smart football player. He understands football, he understands concepts, and we are trying to take advantage of his skill set," running backs coach Tony Dews said. "We knew he had a specific skill set when he was drafted, and we're trying to get out of him what we can get out of him. Whatever we ask him to do, he's been willing to do it."
Lastly, the other Patriots draft pick that has flashed is third-round WR Kyle Williams. Williams's release off the line of scrimmage and burst after the catch are noticeable on the practice field, with the rookie making a nice over-the-shoulder grab on a go route in last week's session.
"He's on the natural progression for a rookie. He's learning the hard way on a couple of things, but he's learning quickly, and he's making new mistakes. He may make a mistake, but then he works to fix it. As long as he stays on that trajectory, he'll be just fine," wide receivers coach Todd Downing said.
Other Notes From Patriots Practice on Monday
- WR Stefon Diggs was in attendance for Monday's practice, participating in positional drills and walkthroughs. It was the first time that Diggs was in attendance for a practice open to the media.
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson spoke to reporters for the first time this spring following practice. Stevenson is mourning the loss of his father, saying that being back at the facility has been a good distraction. On Monday, Stevenson's catch on a well-placed throw by Maye was the highlight of practice.
- Undrafted rookie WR Efton Chism continues to stack strong practices this spring. Chism caught several passes in Monday's session, including an on-timed dig route from Maye. Chism's separation quickness and feel for finding space over the middle of the field stands out.
- The Pats continue to cycle through different players at the left guard position, with fourth-year pro Cole Strange and vet Wes Schweitzer seeing time there on Monday. On the left guard spot, Marrone said, "All the players that we've been rotating through there have been doing a good job there."
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
