Patriots' practice with Commanders proves what fans were desperate to believe

New Egland appears to have a real football team again.
Jul 23, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs out to the practice fields for day one of training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Jul 23, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs out to the practice fields for day one of training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The New England Patriots officially kick off their preseason slate on Friday night, but you could argue this week’s joint practice sessions with the Washington Commanders are more valuable than the actual game.

Joint practices offer a unique setting for teams to simulate game-like situations. If nothing else, the starters will go head-to-head in these sessions more than we expect to see on Friday night.

If reporters on hand were keeping score during Wednesday’s competitive (and sometimes chippy) session, they would have scored more “Ws” for the home team. 

The Patriots reportedly stacked up well to Commanders’ talented roster

Star wide receiver Terry McLaurin was among the seven Commanders players who didn’t make the trip to Foxboro this week. Still, Jayden Daniels and company should offer the Patriots a nice litmus test to see where they’re at early in training camp.

Washington made a Cinderella run to the NFC Championship Game in 2024, and were one of the few teams that knocked off the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles during the regular season.

New England continues to make strides on offense. Per Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal, Maye tossed three touchdown passes and scrambled for another during red zone drills. It was a solid day for the Patriots’ wide receivers, with DeMario Douglas and the now-healthy Mack Hollins among the standouts.

One of the more encouraging Patriots standouts was backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who finished 18-for-22 passing in 11-on-11 drills.

Patriots' defense holds its own without cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis

Even with McLaurin home waiting on his contract situation to get resolved, the Patriots figured to have their hands full with Daniels, Deebo Samuel, and Washington’s explosive offense. One player who continues to take advantage of his opportunities is Alex Austin, who continued to work with New England’s first-team cornerbacks on Wednesday.

Daniels reportedly had his way with the Patriots’ defense early in the session, but unlike last year’s brutal joint practice with the Eagles, Mike Vrabel’s group settled in. Linebacker Harold Landry and defensive back Marcus Jones both recorded sacks, and the interior defensive line group of Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, and training camp standout Khyris Tonga had moments of dominance.

“Overall, I'd say the Patriots got the upper hand over the Commanders today,” Kyed wrote after practice. “Patriots got embarrassed by the Eagles in a joint practice last year. This year was much more encouraging.”

This feels like a step in the right direction for the Patriots, who are starting to feel like a real football team again. We’ll see what happens on Day 2 of joint practices and in the preseason matchup on Friday night, but the hype train has officially left the station in Foxboro.

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