The Patriots closed their offseason program this week, and Mike Vrabel's staff can finally exhale. But before training camp kicks off later this month, there's real work left to do. The roster has taken shape, sure, but the depth chart still has holes that could bite them in September.
Here's the reality: this team has weapons. A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs give them playmakers at receiver. Hunter Henry anchors the tight end room. The offensive line looks competent with Vederian Lowe, Morgan Moses, and the rest of the patchwork they've assembled. But competent isn't championship-level. The Patriots need to identify exactly where the depth breaks down—and they don't have much time left to fix it.
On defense, the linebacker room is deep but unproven. Chad Muma, K'Lavon Chaisson, and a cast of others need to prove they can hold assignments and diagnose plays in real time. The secondary has talent, especially with Christian Gonzalez, but Kobee Minor, Karon Prunty, and the rest of the cornerback depth chart can't afford mistakes against elite offenses. Milton Williams and Dre'Mont Jones need to generate consistent pressure up front. Right now, it feels like potential. They need proven execution.
The quarterback situation is the elephant in the room. Behren Morton, Tommy DeVito, Joshua Dobbs, and Drake Maye—the roster has four bodies, but only one can be the answer. Training camp is where that separates itself. That competition will define the entire season.
Vrabel knows what he inherited. This roster has pieces. But pieces don't win playoff games. The next three weeks before training camp shouldn't feel like a vacation. Every coach on staff should be reviewing film, finalizing schemes, and preparing for camp like it's their last shot. Because in the NFL, it might be.