EAGAN, MN – The New England Patriots’ week in Minnesota was a tale of growth, reality checks, and plenty of intrigue as Mike Vrabel’s team tested itself against one of the NFC’s best squads, the Minnesota Vikings. The two-day joint practice series provided a real measuring stick for a young Patriots roster that is still learning how to win, with new systems in place and plenty of roster battles underway.
While it is never wise to overreact to a few August practices, joint sessions always carry a different weight compared to standard training camp workouts. Unlike intra-squad scrimmages, where teammates face the same schemes daily, joint practices test a team against unfamiliar opponents who play fast, disguise coverages, and apply pressure in ways they won’t see in Foxborough. For a rebuilding Patriots team, the sessions against Minnesota—who won 14 games last season and made the playoffs—were a barometer of progress and resilience.
On day one, New England impressed, with the defense setting the tone by pressuring rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy and creating confusion in the backfield. Harold Landry and Milton Williams spearheaded a disruptive front that kept Minnesota’s offense off balance, while the secondary battled hard in coverage. On offense, second-year quarterback Drake Maye looked confident and aggressive, connecting with Mack Hollins and TreVeyon Henderson for explosive plays, including Henderson’s 65-yard touchdown catch that closed out practice on a high note.
Day two, however, belonged to the Vikings. The Patriots struggled with consistency, both offensively and defensively. Minnesota reasserted itself, reminding observers why they are considered among the NFC’s elite. The Patriots learned an important lesson—sustaining high-level execution is easier said than done, especially against playoff-caliber competition.
As Vrabel himself pointed out, development is never linear. The Patriots are not yet a finished product, but the vision of toughness, effort, and finish that Vrabel preaches is starting to take hold. That foundation will be critical as the team moves into preseason action.
Below are 10 leftover thoughts and takeaways from the Patriots’ joint practices in Minnesota:
1. Drake Maye Handles the Heat
Drake Maye continues to be the story of training camp. Facing defensive coordinator Brian Flores’s complex blitz packages, Maye stood tall. Flores is known across the league for exotic pressures, overload looks, and post-snap rotations designed to confuse quarterbacks. For a young passer, this is often overwhelming.
Yet Maye showed poise. While he didn’t complete every throw, what stood out was his ability to process information, communicate protections, and avoid catastrophic mistakes. Vrabel praised Maye’s composure, noting that he never spiraled when faced with adversity. That mental toughness is exactly what New England hopes to build around.
The bottom line: Maye still has plenty of growing to do, but he looks like a quarterback who can be trusted to lead an NFL offense sooner rather than later.
2. TreVeyon Henderson Looks Special
Few rookies in camp have generated as much buzz as running back TreVeyon Henderson. The Ohio State product flashed his game-breaking ability multiple times in Minnesota, showcasing elite burst, smooth receiving skills, and surprising strength in finishing runs. His 65-yard touchdown catch on day one was the highlight of the week.
What makes Henderson intriguing is his versatility. Unlike past Patriots backfields where roles were strictly divided (early-down bruiser vs. passing-down specialist), Henderson has the complete toolkit. Pairing him with Rhamondre Stevenson could give New England its most dynamic backfield duo since the Corey Dillon era.
3. A Rookie Wideout on the Rise
Kyle Williams, the third-round rookie wide receiver, continues to show progress. Vrabel mentioned before Thursday’s session that Williams has been getting open, even if the ball hasn’t consistently found him. In Minnesota, it finally did. Williams hauled in a red-zone touchdown from Joshua Dobbs and displayed the separation skills that made him a draft target.
The Patriots’ receiving corps is far from settled, but Williams’s speed and crisp route running give him a legitimate chance to crack the rotation early.
4. Wide Receiver Battle Heating Up
At this stage, five receivers appear to be locks: Stefon Diggs, Demario “Pop” Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams. Behind them, Javon Baker and Efton Chism III are making compelling cases for roster spots. Baker’s edge comes from special teams contributions, while Chism has become a reliable target for Dobbs.
Carrying seven receivers is not unprecedented—New England did it last year—so this battle could continue into the final preseason game.
5. Defense Shows Depth in Front Seven
While Matthew Judon remains the centerpiece, New England’s front seven is flashing real depth. Harold Landry and Milton Williams were particularly disruptive in Minnesota, collapsing pockets and controlling the line of scrimmage. Christian Barmore and rookie DT Elijah Davis also had strong reps, giving Vrabel multiple options to mix and match.
The Patriots may not have one dominant pass rusher, but they are building a collective front that can pressure in waves.
6. Secondary Still Sorting Itself Out
Christian Gonzalez looks every bit like a future All-Pro, but the rest of the secondary is still being pieced together. Jonathan Jones provides reliability, while rookie safety Kamren Kitchens is earning more opportunities. Minnesota’s receivers did find success against New England on day two, a reminder that chemistry and communication remain a work in progress.
7. Offensive Line Remains a Concern
The Vikings’ defensive front exposed some issues along New England’s offensive line, particularly in handling stunts and inside pressure. Rookie tackle Caedan Wallace had growing pains, and the interior protection broke down at times. If the Patriots want Maye to thrive, shoring up the line must be a top priority.
8. Vrabel’s Influence Already Evident
Though still early in his tenure, Vrabel’s fingerprints are visible. Practices are intense, structured, and competitive. Players are buying into his demand for maximum effort and discipline. Unlike the end of the Bill Belichick era, where things sometimes felt stale, there’s a renewed energy around this team.
9. Minnesota Provided a Reality Check
For all the positives on day one, day two was humbling. Facing a 14-win team, the Patriots were reminded that consistency and execution at a high level are still developing. That’s not a bad thing—it’s exactly why joint practices exist. Better to learn these lessons in August than in November.
10. The Big Picture
The Patriots are not contenders yet, but they are building an identity. With Maye emerging, Henderson electrifying, and young defenders stepping up, the foundation for the future looks promising. Growth will not always be smooth, but Vrabel’s steady leadership and the team’s willingness to compete are encouraging signs.
The week in Minnesota was not perfect, but it was productive. For a young team trying to climb back into relevance, that’s exactly what they needed.
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