6 Patriots takeaways from Mike Vrabel’s first padded practice of 2025

FOXBOROUGH – When Mike Vrabel was a rookie, he got into a fight during his first padded practice.

The new Patriots head coach didn’t want to see anyone follow that lead entering Day 5 of training camp. Monday marked the first time Vrabel’s team practiced in pads – and with contact – this offseason.

“We want to be able to practice the same way we have to play, which is physical and within the rules,” Vrabel said. “Have a great play demeanor, finish through the whistle, and all those things. If you throw a punch, you’re going to get kicked out of the game, which is going to cost the team. So, I don’t anticipate any of that.”

Although there were some chippy moments, no one fought during Monday’s 90-minute practice. The Patriots held competitive and physical 1-on-1 drills for the first time this offseason.

Most of the full-team drills were run-focused with the Patriots in the red zone. Patriots running backs Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, and TreVeyon Henderson all had good moments and scored touchdowns.

Drake Maye didn’t throw a lot of passes, but when he did throw, he was efficient. The Patriots starting quarterback finished 5-for-6 on the day. He connected with Stefon Diggs, Stevenson, Hunter Henry, Gibson, and Ja’Lynn Polk. Maye’s last two throws, to Gibson and Polk, were 6-yard touchdowns.

Overall, the return to pads was a welcome sight for Patriots players.

“Everything that we did up to this point, those are valuable reps,” linebacker Jack Gibbens said. “The game changes when you put pads on. Everything from the run fits, the pass rush, how you cover people – everything is different. This game is played with pads on. These days definitely mean more for sure.”

Here are the top takeaways from an eventful practice:

Christian Gonzalez leaves with injury

On the first padded practice of the 2025 offseason, the Patriots saw one of their best players leave with an injury.

Christian Gonzalez departed Monday’s Patriots practice after suffering what appeared to be an injury to his left leg. The incident happened during the first pass play of the team’s 11-on-11 period.

Gonzalez was covering Stefon Diggs on the snap. After the veteran receiver caught a Drake Maye pass, the Patriots All-Pro cornerback immediately hopped up and grabbed the back of his left leg. That’s when Gonzalez called for the Patriots training staff and hobbled to the sideline.

Gonzalez was down on the ground for a bit while the trainers looked at his leg. After getting up, the former first-round pick walked off the field with a notable limp. Patriots head trainer Jim Whalen took Gonzalez to the back of the practice fields to the team’s trainer shed.

Gonzalez departed practice from there and didn’t return.

With Carlton Davis also missing practice, the Patriots continued without their top two outside cornerbacks. That bumped Alex Austin and Marcus Jones up the depth chart on the outside. Marcellus Dial was then the defense’s top slot cornerback.

Welcome to the NFL, kid

For Will Campbell, the first day of pads created a ‘Welcome to the NFL’ moment pretty quickly.

The first 1-on-1 drill that Campbell took resulted in the first-round pick being pushed to the ground by veteran defensive end Keion White. That wasn’t the only time, either. Campbell was again planted on the ground by White during a later 1-on-1 rep in practice.

It wasn’t all bad for the No. 4 overall pick.

During the 11-on-11 period, Campbell held his own against the Patriots starting defensive line. The left tackle showcased speed and power during multiple downhill runs where he pushed the player in front of him out of the play.

Boutte shines in 1-on-1s

The Patriots also held their first 1-on-1 drills between receivers and cornerbacks on Monday. These passes were in the red zone, and for the most part, the Patriots defensive backs won the battle.

Patriots receivers won five matchups while cornerbacks won seven.

Out of the five wins, however, Kayshon Boutte won both his matchups against Gonzalez. It was an impressive display from the third-year receiver.

“I feel like 1-on-1s are good. It kind of shows your ability to get open and catch the ball, so I feel like it’s great,” Boutte said. “I feel like I’m a bigger guy, so I’m not really the shifty type, just got to get open instantly and catch the ball.”

Boutte had the best day among Patriots receivers in this drill. Stefon Diggs went 1-2, beating Marcus Jones. He lost to Gonzalez, and then Jones knocked a pass out of his hands. Kyle Williams went 1-1 with a win against Marcellus Dial and a loss to Jones. Kendrick Bourne beat Myles Battle and lost to Dial. DeMario Douglas lost both reps against Jones and Dial.

Boutte has been a mainstay in the Patriots top offensive unit this offseason. On Monday, he looked impressive against the team’s top cornerback.

“Iron sharpens iron every day, so my focus is on getting better every day, working towards the best plays and getting sharp every day,” Boutte said.

Polk returns

After missing the first week of practice due to a reported soft tissue injury, Ja’Lynn Polk was back at practice on Monday and finished on a high note.

Last year, the Patriots second-round pick had a strong training camp where he shined during red zone drills. Polk was consistent and made a good play almost every day of training camp.

That’s why it was surprising that the then-rookie didn’t have a great first NFL season. The 23-year-old finished with 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games played. It was also disappointing that Polk, who was a limited participant this offseason, missed the team’s first four days of camp.

On Monday, however, Polk was back in the Patriots lineup. Although most of his reps came on the field with backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs, the receiver made the most out of his limited reps with Maye.

In the final 11-on-11 period, the Patriots ran plays from the 6-yard line. On Maye’s final snap, Polk beat Marcellus Dial in the end zone to haul in a touchdown pass from the Patriots quarterback.

Considering the Patriots added Diggs, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams this season, Polk will need to have a strong summer to make the team and make an impact in New England.

Monday was a good example of Polk making the most of his opportunities.

Pop takes on more leadership

DeMario Douglas looks different this offseason. As it turns out, he also feels different.

Entering his third NFL season, the Patriots slot receiver took it upon himself to lead more in the classroom and on the field. Douglas has taken a more vocal role on the Patriots and said that’s helped him on the field.

“I’ve been growing in the classroom, helping others out, I feel like it’s what I needed for part of my game,” Douglas said. “As I teach somebody else, I’m learning myself. I feel like when I’m out there and I see something somebody else does, I can coach it up. And I feel like I got in that playbook a lot.”

It’s been evident this summer. After Monday’s practice, Douglas leads all Patriots players with nine receptions through five days of camp. The slot receiver has been Maye’s top target along with Stefon Diggs.

For example, during last week’s walkthrough, the focus was on third down. Although the plays were not competitive, it felt noteworthy that Maye targeted Diggs (four times) and Douglas (three times) more than anyone else on the field.

Then on Saturday, Douglas had his best day of camp with multiple highlight-reel receptions. That included three contested catches, with one being a 60-yard touchdown where he split Christian Gonzalez and Kyle Dugger in coverage.

“I’m feeling good,” Douglas said. “Just doing what I do. I’m having fun out there.”

Attendance

Polk wasn’t the only player to return to practice. Undrafted free agent Josh Minkins came off the non-football injury list and was back at practice on Monday.

The Patriots were without linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who left Saturday’s practice with an unknown injury. Tavai suffered a calf injury in minicamp, but was healthy enough to start training camp with the team.

Davis was also absent and has missed three of the Patriots five days of camp.

Mack Hollins, Austin Hooper, and Vederian Lowe are still on the physically unable to perform list.