6 takeaways from Day 18 of Patriots training camp

August 18, 2026 - 17:51

The Patriots were back on the field Tuesday, but it was a lighter day as the team held a walkthrough practice in Foxborough. This comes right before a significant stretch of the preseason schedule, with two joint training camp sessions against the Philadelphia Eagles on tap for Wednesday and Thursday.

Those workouts will be the last real test before the Patriots face the Eagles in their preseason opener on Friday night. The coaching staff is clearly prioritizing getting the team ready for that physical matchup, and the walkthrough was a chance to install the game plan without the wear and tear of full contact.

Here are six takeaways from the day's session.

First, the focus was entirely on situational football. The team spent a lot of time on red zone offense and defense, as well as third-down work. It was all about execution at a slower pace, making sure everyone is on the same page before the speed picks up against Philadelphia.

Second, quarterback Drake Maye continues to get a healthy share of first-team reps. While Jacoby Brissett is still the starter, Maye took a good number of snaps with the starters during the walkthrough. The coaching staff is clearly trying to get him comfortable with the top unit, even if it is just in a mental rehearsal.

Third, the offensive line rotation remains a work in progress. The starting five was the same as it has been for most of camp, but there was a lot of shuffling with the second and third groups. The team is still searching for the right combination of backups, and these joint practices will be a big opportunity for those guys to prove they belong.

Fourth, the defense looked sharp in their walkthrough periods. They were flying around, communicating well, and seemed to have a good grasp of the Eagles' tendencies. The defensive backs, in particular, were very vocal, which is a good sign for a unit that will be tested by a strong Philadelphia passing attack.

Fifth, there was no live special teams work, but the kickers did get some reps in. Joey Slye and Chad Ryland both went through their warmups and hit some field goals from various distances. It was a quiet day for them, but the pressure will be on in the game Friday.

Finally, the overall energy was high despite the lighter workload. The players know what is coming. The joint practices are a chance to go against someone else, to prove themselves in a different environment. The mood was focused but upbeat, and there is a real sense that this team is ready to hit someone in a different colored jersey.

The real test starts Wednesday morning when the Eagles come to town. That will be the first true evaluation of where this team stands.