5 burning questions for the Patriots before training camp

Patriots

Patriots training camp starts next week and there are numerous questions surrounding the team entering the primary 12 months of the Jerod Mayo era.

It is the primary time in nearly 1 / 4 of a century that Bill Belichick isn’t guarding the Patriots' sidelines.

New England is within the early stages of a rebuild with a brand new coach, a brand new quarterback and a newfound determination to pay its homegrown talent.

Perhaps the most important query of all is: How quickly will the Patriots have the ability to show around certainly one of the NFL's weakest offenses and rating enough points to win games?

There will likely be position battles, contract negotiations, rising stars, and perhaps even just a few surprise firings. There will definitely be plenty of pleasure as New England searches for the brand new Patriot Way.

Here are the ten key questions facing the Patriots before training camp.

Who will likely be the left tackle?

Whether it's Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett, and even Bailey Zappe under center, the Patriots have to work out who will likely be liable for protecting the quarterback's blind side.

Trent Brown is gone after signing a one-year cope with the Bengals, who the Patriots will face of their opening game of the regular season.

The most suitable choice to interchange Brown appears to be Chukwuma Okorafor, the Patriots' executive vice chairman of player personnel. said Eliot Wolf in April. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Okorafor began 59 games for the Steelers over six seasons, primarily for granted tackle, but was cut from the roster after rookie Broderick Jones emerged because the starter.

The Patriots also drafted a tackle, Caeden Wallace, within the third round. Sidy Sow began 13 games at guard as a rookie last 12 months, so it's not out of the query that Wallace could are available and compete for enjoying time. But it stays to be seen how his game translates to the subsequent level.

Calvin Anderson played in two games last season and missed the remaining of the 12 months as a consequence of malaria. He says he’s fully healthy and able to compete this season. Vederian Lowe, who began eight games last 12 months, also returns.

Is Drake Maye able to be the guy?

Mayo said back in April that his legacy will likely be tied to the player the Patriots select No. 3 within the draft. That player is quarterback Drake Maye.

At 1.93 m and 102 kgMaye has size, athleticism and a powerful arm, all things the Patriots lacked on the quarterback position last 12 months. There are also questions on whether his footwork and accuracy are sufficient for this level.

Maye can have the chance to compete this summer, but offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt already knows Jacoby Brissett, who began 11 games for the Browns in 2022.

Will the Patriots let Maye play or will Brissett stay? This is a giant decision for the brand new coaching staff.

What will Christian Gonzalez appear like?

Gonzalez's rookie season was promising but short-lived.

In 4 games, he recorded 17 tackles, one sack and one interception before missing the remaining of the season as a consequence of a torn labrum.

Gonzalez said in May that he was healthy and able to play, meaning training camp will likely be a possibility to see what he looks like firstly of his sophomore season.

Full contact with pads is difficult to copy, and Gonzalez's last game was last October. If he picks up where he left off last 12 months, he'll be a key a part of the secondary.

How will Matthew Judon’s contract situation develop?

Judon, who has participated in 4 of the last five Pro Bowls, has one 12 months left on his contract.

The Patriots restructured his contract last season, increasing his guaranteed salary from $2 million to $14 million, but Judon only played in 4 games last season after a torn bicep sidelined him.

According to Spotrac, Judon's salary cap hit for the upcoming season is $14.6 million, which incorporates a $6.8 million signing bonus, $6.5 million base salary, $1.1 million from the reorganization agreement and a $235,000 roster bonus.

Judon's salary cap is the very best on the Patriots, but in accordance with Spotrac, he ranks sixteenth amongst edge rushers. There are 10 edge rushers with salary cap numbers over $20 million this season.

Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal reported that Judon won’t play for the Patriots under his current contract. However, Judon said in a recent episode of Felger and Mazz say they need to leave things to their agents and Patriots management.

Another soccer competition?

Chad Ryland had a terrific moment on Christmas Eve when he beat the Broncos with a 56-yard field goal.

However, he struggled in his rookie season, converting only 16 of his 25 field goal attempts. He made 24 of 25 extra points and made nine of his 11 field goal attempts under 40 yards, but he also missed half of his attempts over 40 yards, raising questions on his future with the Patriots.

For that job, New England has hired Joey Slye, who made 19 of 24 field goals last 12 months, including 10 of 14 from 40 yards or more.