The Biggest Decision the Patriots Must Make Before Preseason Opener

FOXBORO --- In less than two days, the New England Patriots will have to play their first preseason game of the summer. They just finished their joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts and will now have a closed walkthrough before the game.

But now the Patriots' coaching staff has an important decision to make, and it's one that coaches across the league can sometimes struggle with around this time in the NFL schedule. How much, if at all, should they play their starters?

We know with certainty not to expect Drake Maye out there. Head coach Mike Vrabel spoke to reporters before the joint practice, and all, but confirmed it.

"I wouldn’t anticipate seeing Drake out there on Thursday, but that’s all subject to change," Vrabel said before Tuesday's practice. "That’s where my mindset is right now, standing here today. It’s important that we get the work in and get things accomplished that we are looking to get accomplished. That can always change, but I wouldn’t anticipate that happening right now."

So we know that against Indianapolis, the quarterbacks will likely be a mix of Tommy DeVito and rookie Behren Morton. Who'll start that game is unclear, even to the players. DeVito told reporters that he doesn't have a clue what the plan is right now.

Aug 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tommy DeVito (16) speaks to the the media after practice during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"I think about my rookie year, I was told that morning how much I was playing in the game," DeVito said. "I'll just prepare like I'm gonna play the whole game and then whenever they tell you whatever you do, that's how it is."

To Play Or Not To Play

But the quarterback position isn't really the one in dire need of confirmation. The Patriots have to figure out what to do with the rest of their roster. Most teams will try to get their starters, at least most of them, some snaps during the summer to get them back into the swing of things.

Veterans, like tight end Hunter Henry, defensive tackle Milton Williams and wide receiver A.J. Brown, should get some time on the field at some point in the next three weeks. But how many snaps is the question.

Other times, the Patriots have let their youngsters play for quite a long time. Last year, undrafted wideout Efton Chism III fought his way onto the roster because he wasn't able to be taken off the field. He scored touchdowns in each of the first two games he played in, and was given that long leash as a rookie.

It's just knowing what buttons to push at the right time. For Vrabel, it's looking like this week's battle against the Colts will be more about the depth pieces than trying to get the veterans adjusted to game speed.

Jul 25, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) answers questions from the media after training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"That’s really the only reason that we do these joint practices," Vrabel said when asked about using joint practices to evaluate players who won't play in games. "It will be a lot of the frontline players and whoever’s available. Some of the guys that maybe will not get as much work today will get extensive work in the game on Thursday.

"That’s just how it goes. So, let’s see how today goes, and we can always adjust and plan accordingly."

Where Do Patriots Draw The Line?

In New England's practice, some longer-tenured guys got heavy workloads. Brown led the team with five catches. Henry had four and worked with both the first and second offensive units. Linebacker Robert Spillane was on the field for quite a while.

However, there are some players that fall right into the middle of the depth chart that could be interesting choices. Does Kindle Vildor, the free agent cornerback who replaced Christian Gonzalez Tuesday, get rest because of a lack of depth or playing time because he's not promised a spot. The same goes for the depth offensive linemen who might be in roster limbo right now (Dametrious Crownover, Andrew Rupcich, James Hudson).

That's not to say that the Patriots won't give their stars some reps during the preseason (keep an eye on next week's joint practice/game with the Philadelphia Eagles).

But the team needs to figure out the line between resting valuable players in non-valuable games, and keeping their players ready for the regular season.

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