Drake Maye showed encouraging poise for New England, but the joint practices with Minnesota underscored how fragile the Patriots’ protection can be. Maye went 7-for-12 in the field, yet seven sacks by Minnesota’s edge pressure highlighted the interior line’s vulnerabilities, especially at left guard where Ben Brown and Jared Wilson have struggled. Minnesota was without Justin Jefferson, which skewed the usual target distribution and kept the Patriots’ defensive depth in sharper focus. Andrew Van Ginkel’s absence from Minnesota’s healthy lineup provided a reminder that the pass rush was shaping this week’s takeaways.

Patriots turn the page with Will Campbell facing a tough test against a relentless Flores front. Campbell’s performance and protection on Maye will shape early-season forecasts, while New England’s defense held its own with red-zone pressure—a microcosm of what the team will need to lean on as the calendar moves toward Week 1. The Vikings, meanwhile, navigated a star-depleted attack without Jefferson, testing JJ McCarthy’s opening impressions in the Vikings’ return game and highlighting how much the offense depends on layout and time in the pocket. The episode closes with Vrabel’s mood and a birthday moment on the sideline, offering a window into the team’s temperament as plans for Week 1 take shape and the poll and comments add a fantasy-flavored angle to the quarterback conversation.