Mitch Wishnowsky is back on the practice squad after his Week 2 elevation against Pittsburgh, and that's actually telling us something important about how the Patriots' special teams picture is shaping up. The veteran got his shot at the home opener—a 20-3 win over the Steelers—but apparently didn't do enough to stick on the active roster. In the NFL, punters don't typically yo-yo between practice squad and active unless there's legitimate competition happening.
This looks like Mike Vrabel and his staff are running a genuine evaluation between Wishnowsky and Bryce Baringer. That's healthy. Punting is one of those positions where you can't fake it—either you're pinning teams deep with consistency, or you're not. An elevation-based trial run tells us the Patriots didn't see Wishnowsky as the clear-cut answer after one game, which means Baringer is holding his own in practice and preseason reps.
The smart play here is patience. Don't overthink the practice squad move as a referendum on Wishnowsky's career. This is about finding the right fit for 2026 in what looks like an open competition. Teams do this every year—especially with specialists. The fact that Wishnowsky got the Week 2 nod at Gillette Stadium in a win means he earned that opportunity. How he performed in that game—whether he boomed it into the corners or had mishits—that's what determines his future on this roster.
Vrabel's system demands precision and execution across every phase. Special teams are no exception. Expect Wishnowsky to get more opportunities if Baringer stumbles, or vice versa. The loser of this battle will likely end up somewhere else before the season hits stride. For now, the practice squad is simply Wishnowsky's holding pattern while the Patriots collect real game data on both options.
Based on reporting from Pats Pulpit.