Patriots Begin Offseason Workouts: Who’s Attending Phase 1?
FOXBORO — For the first time since January, the New England Patriots have officially welcomed back a significant portion of their roster for the start of 2023 offseason workouts.
The Patriots, along with several teams throughout the NFL, began the first phase of their offseason program, which consists of activities including meetings, strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation. These activities will take place over the course of a two-week period.
While Massachusetts observed the Patriots Day holiday, the football Pats provided their fans with a first look at some of the attendees, including quarterback Mac Jones, wide receiver DeVante Parker, defenisve end Deatrich Wise, Jr, tight end Hunter Henry and hybrid running back Ty Montgomery.
Despite his being surrounded by trade rumors, as well as his purported deteriorating relationship with head coach Bill Belichick, Jones has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming season. As such, his attendance to kick off the program was widely expected. Last week, the Alabama product was joined by fellow quarterback Bailey Zappe, tight end Mike Gesicki and wide receiver Tyquan Thornton at the South Walpole Community Athletic Complex for informal throwing sessions.
Jones has also been one of a handful of players who has remained in the region for the majority of the offseason. In fact, Jones has been described as a “daily presence” at Gillette Stadium, thus far; using team facilities to train and throw. He has also enlisted the help of former NFL quarterback Nic Shimonek in adopting an improved physical and mental preparation regimen.
Like Jones, Zappe has also been hard at work this offseason. In fact, both he and Thornton were spotted training together in early February.
During the offseason’s second phase, teams are able to increase their activities to on-field workouts. For the Patriots, the workouts will take place in Foxboro over three weeks. They may include individual or group instruction and drills, as well as “perfect play drills,” and drills and plays with offensive players lining up across from offensive players and defensive players lining up across from defensive players, conducted at a walk through pace. No live contact or team offense versus team defense drills are permitted during this time,
The third phase takes place over the final four weeks of the program. Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, otherwise known as OTAs. At this time, 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills are permitted without live contact.
Full-pads practices and contact drills will arrive when the Patriots regroup for training camp in late July.
Despite these initial sessions being closed to the media, New England’s staff of assistant coaches — including new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien — will be offering their first public remarks of the season on Tuesday.
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