The New England Patriots will have their fair share of the spotlight over the next few months given their star-studded roster. Drake Maye will be looking to claim his first MVP after narrowly losing out to Matthew Stafford in 2025, while A.J. Brown's addition is its own storyline altogether.
Christian Gonzalez's contract situation will be another to monitor, and it's been reported that DeAndre Hopkins will be working with the team in a coaching role as he determines whether or not he'll play in 2026.
There are plenty of headlines to go around, but the more under-the-radar stories are always interesting to tap into ahead of preseason. Last season, the legend of Efton Chism grew ahead of what would turn out to be a pair of strong preseason games, while rumors of Kyle Dugger's ominous future also began.
The next few weeks will host their own set of stories.
These 3 Patriots will be ones to watch during training camp
Lan Larison separates himself as the clear RB3
TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson will split carries again in 2026 after the pair led the offense to the sixth ranked rushing offense during the regular season, but the release of Antonio Gibson in the spring necessitates a new RB3 coming into the fold.
While Terrell Jennings got some run last season and they selected Alabama's Jam Miller in the seventh round, 2025 UDFA Lan Larison will separate himself from the pack this summer.
Looking at the type of player the Patriots should be looking to roster as the third back, Larison fits the bill. Funny enough, that's in large part because he and Gibson share a similar profile.
While Gibson is leaner, both players are compact backs with the size to hold up between the tackles. Larison excelled as a pass catcher in college, making 62 catches for 847 yards and 6 touchdowns during his final season at UC Davis. Those numbers were enough for him to lead the team in both catches and yards.
Additionally, Larison returned 49 kicks during his time with the Aggies. He returned only five kicks in the last two years in California, but took out 43 kicks for a total of 1,186 yards across the 2021 and 2022 seasons. That's an average of 26.2 yards per return.
Larison has the profile of the perfect third down back. With rushing and receiving acumen, paired with special-teams ability, don't be surprised if he ends up as the 2026 version of Rex Burkhead.
Veteran Andrew Rupcich plays himself into pole position for a roster spot
The Patriots' offensive line underwent some significant renovations this offseason, particularly along the interior. Jared Wilson made the move from guard to center, while Alijah Vera-Tucker was inked to a three-year deal to fill his role.
Ben Brown remains the premier backup option, but the team is likely to carry a second interior backup with them into the season. Caedan Wallace made the transition to guard last offseason, but the likelihood of him making the roster again in 2026 seems low.
Andrew Rupcich emerged early in the spring as one of the team's top backups along the interior. He alternated with Brown at left guard in Vera-Tucker's absence, putting him ahead of Wallace and others early in the process. Rupcich's size is likely to benefit him: at 325 pounds, he's quite stout, similar to New England's starters.
That similarity may benefit him in the eyes of Josh McDaniels, who values gap scheme running.
Chad Muma emerges as the top backup linebacker
The Patriots lost all three backup linebackers this offseason. Jack Gibbens left for the Cardinals despite being an RFA, Jahlani Tavai was released, and Marte Mapu was traded to the Texans. It goes without saying that the Patriots are in dire need of backups.
The team added K.J. Britt in free agency and selected Namdi Obiazor in the sixth round, but former Wyoming linebacker Chad Muma has a real shot to catapult himself into a major role in 2026.
A third-round pick in 2022 by the Jaguars, Muma was waived after three seasons and signed by the Colts. Last year, he played in five games for Indianapolis but was eventually relegated to the practice squad. The Patriots signed him following Robert Spillane's injury, and he went on to play 131 special teams snaps from Week 16 onward.
He managed only 29 defensive snaps, but his familiarity with Zak Kuhr's defense could give him the edge over others.
Muma had 94 tackles and 1.5 sacks over his first three seasons. If he can fill Gibbens' role as the third linebacker and core special-teamer, it would be a major win for the team and Kuhr's defense.
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