Mike Reiss

Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the Patriots and NFL (Drake Maye leads team into OTAs this week; coaching messages; WR Kyle Williams adds lower-body strength; safety Jaylinn Hawkins on free-agent process; Christian Elliss on LB room etc.) espn.com/nfl/story/_/id…

Follow-up: DT Travis Shaw played at North Carolina (2022-2024) and Texas (2025) — 50 games, 68 tackles. At 6-foot-5, 334 pounds, he takes up some space and his addition highlights, in part, how Khyiris Tonga departed in free agency and the team’s run-stuffing ranks were thinned.

Patriots transactions: DT Travis Shaw signed, snapper Niko Lalos released.

Scene setter : WR Kyle Williams visits the assembled media at the end of Patriots Community Day, later explaining he had a change of heart after briefly switching from No. 18 to No. 8 … so he is sticking with 18.

Scene setter: Getting accustomed to seeing safety Craig Woodson in No. 4.

Scene setter: LB Christian Elliss meets with reporters as Patriots Community Day concludes.

Scene setter: Robert Kraft and Mike Vrabel converse before the start of Community Day, where more than 200 youngsters from Providence are set to go through drills run by coaches and players.

A Maye day.

Scene setter: CB/PR Marcus Jones meets with reporters during the fifth week of the voluntary offseason program, and the discussion starts with him being part of the Patriots’ schedule-release video on a roller coaster (not his favorite ride).

Scene setter: Special teams captain Brenden Schooler meets with reporters during the fifth week of the voluntary offseason program. He talks about the opener at the Seahawks, calling it a great opportunity.

Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the Patriots and NFL (a salute to 'Miss Nancy'; why New England was picked to open in Seattle; Romeo Doubs credits 4 WRs for helping him with playbook; OL Alijah Vera-Tucker light on his feet; Myles Montgomery as RB3? etc.) espn.com/nfl/story/_/id…

Week 2 at Gillette Stadium.

How did NFL teams reveal 2026 schedules on social media? A one-stop-shop of all 32, with Patriots players letting it rip on a 🎢 as QB Drake Maye makes a 👋cameo. espn.com/nfl/story/_/id…

Fox locking it in … Packers-Patriots, Nov. 8, 4:25 p.m. ET, Tom Brady in the Gillette Stadium TV booth for the first time.

Patriots schedule with TV focus … could Tom Brady call his first New England game when Packers come to town? Would be a potential memorable weekend if it happened and could be paired with a Rob Gronkowski Patriots Hall of Fame induction.

Patriots preseason schedule: 🏈Thursday, Aug. 13: vs. Colts (7:30 p.m. ET, WBZ-TV) 🏈Saturday, Aug. 22 vs. Eagles (7 p.m. ET, WBZ-TV) 🏈Thursday, Aug. 27 at Browns (Prime Video, 8 p.m. ET)

Patriots 2026 schedule analysis: Can they duplicate "road warriors" mentality with 7 of first 11 on the road? espn.com/nfl/story/_/pa…

Scene setter: TE Julian Hill, who signed a three-year deal with a base value of $15 million in March, meets with reporters and shares that he isn’t on social media (“no distractions.”).

Scene setter: Jared Wilson, who smiles as he says he is “very excited” about moving to center and switching to No. 55, meets with reporters during the fourth week of the voluntary offseason program.

Scene setter: Safety Mike Brown, who signed a one-year deal as a free agent in March and is a candidate for the personal-protector role previously filled by Marte Mapu, meets with reporters.