The New England Patriots are kicking their season into higher gear as voluntary OTAs have taken place. From June 15-17, there'll be a more serious mandatory mini-camp, then a lull until July 21, when summer training camp begins.
Mike Vrabel and his staff will run brilliant now, third-year quarterback Drake Maye, and his teammates through their paces. They'll be aiming to prove all the naysayers about the 2026 season and its much tougher schedule wrong.
Among the participants at all these events will likely be one group: the undrafted free agent signees. One who's been noticed because he's now the holder of the largest contract the Patriots have ever given a UDFA is running back Myles Montgomery from UCF.
Ethan Hurwitz of SI.com talked about Montgomery's competitiveness, one of his singular attributes.
"It doesn't matter if it's football or just a casual game off the field, Myles Montgomery does not want to lose. The New England Patriots signed the UCF running back as an undrafted free agent this past offseason, and for a lot of money. His $272,500 in guarantees is the most the Patriots have ever given an undrafted rookie in franchise history. That's not a small chunk of change, and Montgomery got it for good reason."
Myles Montgomery will have tough competition for a spot on the Patriots' 2026 roster
The Patriots are a team coached by Vrabel that operates as a meritocracy. No matter who you are, where you played previously, how high you were drafted, or even if you signed a free agent contract, you'll make the 53-man roster based on who gives the team the best chance to win. The same principle goes for who'll play during the season.
Vrabel has cut numerous players from 2024's terrible roster. More of the few remaining are likely on their way out either this season or next. One position in flux is where Montgomery may enter the picture.
The running back room has two returning veterans who will be a part of the action. They are veteran Rhamondre Stevenson and 2025's rookie sensation, TreVeyon Henderson. Antonio Gibson, who missed most of 2025 with an injury, has been released.
The 5'11", 205-pound Montgomery will vie primarily with two other running backs for spots on the roster. They are 2025 UDFA, Lan Larison, who can catch the ball out of the backfield, and rookie seventh-round pick, Alabama's Jam Miller.
One will make the game-day roster, and another will probably make the 53-man roster. One will most likely be seeking employment elsewhere. Montgomery's big UDFA contract signals that the team is serious about seeing what he can do.
None of the three has a leg up on any other. Neither Montgomery nor Miller was ultra-productive in college. Larison was. In his final UC-Davis season, he gained 1465 yards and had 17 rushing touchdowns. He also had 62 receptions for another 874 yards and six more touchdowns.
If healthy, he'll have to be looked upon as a solid bet to earn one of the two positions available. He does it all.
Regardless, Myles Montgomery's UDFA contract will ensure he gets a lot of attention from the coaching staff and others. He'll need his competitiveness not only to gain a roster spot but also to hopefully contribute to a repeat of a terrific season for the Patriots.
Competition is supposed to bring out the best in competitors. We'll see if that's the case for Myles Montgomery shortly.
Add us as a preferred source on Google