6 takeaways from Day 11 of Patriots training camp

August 7, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

FOXBOROUGH – It looked like the day would end on a high note for quarterback Drake Maye and the Patriots offense.

Instead, the team’s defense turned the script on Day 11 of training camp.

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Mike Vrabel had his team end Thursday’s practice with a 2-minute drill. The coach had his two units line up on the field in a got-to-have-it situation. The offense needed a touchdown to win. The defense needed a stop to secure the victory.

Maye came out firing, hitting three passes in a row. His third completion was a thing of beauty, as A.J. Brown made a phenomenal catch against tight coverage from Christian Gonzalez. That set the offense up at the 25-yard line with 33 seconds on the clock.

However, that’s where the good fortune for Maye and the offense ended.

On the next play, Maye tried to squeeze a pass into a tightly covered Kayshon Boutte. Cornerback Marcus Jones jumped in front of the receiver to make a nice interception. Vrabel gave the offense one more opportunity, but that too ended in a turnover as Maye tried to get the ball to a well-covered Hunter Henry.

In that instance, Kevin Byard intercepted the pass in the end zone.

The defense wasn’t done, either. Tommy DeVito took the field to start his unit’s 2-minute drill. The backup quarterback’s first pass was intercepted by safety John Saunders, making it three interceptions in a row for the defense.

“Obviously we’re trying to win the game,” Boutte said. “So, three interceptions, whether we can’t fully blame the quarterback, you know, we can take accountability on the routes, alignments and stuff like that. It’s take all 11, not just one man, but as an offense we got to be better. You know, that’s a game-winning situation. So if you go based on that scenario, we lost that game.”

Patriots defensive players were buzzing after the three-straight turnovers.

“It shows what we have and all the stuff that we’re just getting better every day, everybody making plays, new guys making plays every day,” edge rusher Bradyn Swinson said. “So that’s something that you love to see.”

“We got head hunters,” added defensive tackle Leonard Taylor. “Everybody wants the ball. Everybody’s in the right spot when we need them to, and they’re just executing their plays.”

Here are the top takeaways from Day 11 of Patriots training camp:

It got heated between Brown and Gonzalez

The temperature wasn’t the only thing rising on Day 11 of Patriots training camp.

This summer, the battle between A.J. Brown and Christian Gonzalez has been highly competitive. Both Pro Bowl players have had their shares of wins and losses against one another.

On Thursday, the competition ramped up and almost boiled over.

During a 1-on-1 drill, Gonzalez deflected a pass intended for Brown in the end zone. After the ball hit the grass, the Patriots cornerback pointed his finger at the receiver. It appeared as though both players were trash-talking. That’s when receiver Kayshon Boutte came onto the field to pull Brown away.

“I was just trying to pull A.J. out to go on to the next,” Boutte said. “I heard him say something about ‘You a grown man’. So, I just (got in there) before it got too far.”

The two players have gone back and forth all camp. The intensity has only increased since pads came on last week. On Monday, Gonzalez could be heard trash-talking about intercepting a pass intended for Brown in 1-on-1 drills. On Thursday, Brown made a phenomenal catch with Gonzalez in coverage during a 2-minute drill.

“It’s good on good. He’s the number one receiver in this league, going up against the number one corner,” Gonzalez said. “I mean, that’s how it’s going to go. It’s football at the end of the day; there’s never no disrespect or anything. We’re just battling and getting each other better.

Will Campbell is dealing with an injury

Will Campbell’s outstanding training camp came to a halt on Thursday.

The Patriots left tackle didn’t participate in any competitive drills as he wore a new brace on his left arm. Backup Marcus Bryant played left tackle in Campbell’s place. The second-year player said it was nice to be called upon with the starters.

“Just being able to step up and compete,” Bryant said. “And being able to step in for my brother means a lot.”

Campbell has been great this summer. The second-year tackle is 8-1 in 1-on-1 drills and has earned praise from teammates and coaches for his improvements from last season. However, Campbell was seen wearing a black brace on left his arm during Wednesday’s walkthrough.

On Thursday, Campbell was out with his teammates during the start of practice and took part in some of the drills. When 11-on-11s started, Campbell worked off on the side field with Patriots head trainer Frank Piraino.

Campbell didn’t take part in 1-on-1 drills, either. Bryant took those reps and performed well, going 2-0 against Dre’Mont Jones and Gabe Jacas.

The injury to Campbell bears watching. The 2025 fourth overall pick looks bound for a big second season, and the Patriots certainly need him.

Drake Maye had a good day – until he didn’t

Thursday’s practice ended on a low note for Maye as he threw two interceptions on his final two passes. Up until that point, the quarterback was having a solid day of training camp.

Before the turnovers, Maye was an efficient 10-of-13 on the day before finishing 10-of-15 with two interceptions.

Before the 2-minute drill, the Patriots ran a red zone drill with the offense starting on the 5-yard line. Maye hit DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins for touchdowns during that period.

Once again, Brown was Maye’s top target. The Pro Bowl receiver finished with three catches.

Thursday was a lighter day for DeVito and Behren Morton. DeVito finished 3-of-6 with the interception. Morton finished 3-of-6 as well.

Romeo Doubs misses second practice

Romeo Doubs missed his second straight day of camp. The veteran receiver was a full participant before missing Wednesday’s walkthrough.

Doubs’ absence hasn’t necessarily led to more opportunities for Boutte. On Thursday, the receiver lined up with both the starters and backups, but his only catch came on a pass from DeVito.

Boutte was targeted twice by Maye, but the first ball was overthrown and the second one intercepted.

After practice, he said he doesn’t lobby for more first-team reps.

“I think everybody would like to have more first-team reps,” Boutte said. “You might have 10 plays, you might have five, you might have 20, it’s all about opportunity.”

With Doubs absent, it’s also been interesting to see how the depth chart has unfolded. On Thursday, Efton Chism III received the first first-team rep, lining up with Brown. Meanwhile, Kyle Williams continues to play with the second and third-string offenses.

On Thursday, Williams’ only reception came on a pass from Morton with the third team.

The Patriots also missed cornerback Carlon Davis, tight end Jack Westover and receiver Cameron Dorner on Thursday. Harold Landry and Brenden Schooler also remain out.

Gabe Jacas gets more playing time

Second-round pick Gabe Jacas is making up for lost time.

The rookie edge rusher saw more reps on Thursday. He mainly played with the backup defense, but did take a handful of snaps with the starters, replacing Dre’Mont Jones on a handful of reps.

Jacas took two reps in 1-on-1 drills, losing to Marcus Bryant and then beating rookie Demetrious Crownover. In full-team reps, Jacas decisively beat first-round pick Caleb Lomu on one pass-rushing rep.

In 11-on-11 drills, Jacas had a pressure before DeVito’s interception.

Caleb Lomu continues roller-coaster camp

It’s been an up-and-down camp for the Patriots’ first-round pick.

On Thursday, Lomu went 1-1 during the team’s 1-on-1 period. The day was a good example of what’s been happening with the rookie.

On the first rep, Lomu was beaten badly by backup edge rusher Xavier Holmes. However, the first-round pick rebounded and then beat Elijah Ponder on the next rep.

The last time the Patriots did 1-on-1 drills, Lomu went 3-3. The practice before that, he finished 2-2. It’s been a mixed bag for the rookie.