Washington tests roster depth; New England kicks off Mike Vrabel era with jobs up for grabs
Football is back in Foxborough tonight, and for the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots, it’s the first real step toward the 2025 season. Kickoff at Gillette Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
The night will start with a moment Patriots fans have circled for months. At 6 p.m., the team will unveil a 12-foot statue of Tom Brady at Patriot Place, a permanent tribute to the quarterback who delivered six Lombardi Trophies and defined an era in New England.
Both teams got a head start this week with spirited joint practices. Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels drew praise for his calm presence and precise throws, keeping the offense on schedule against a tough Patriots defense. Head coach Dan Quinn is expected to keep most of his regulars on the sideline, giving the stage to rookies, undrafted free agents (UDFAs), and players chasing roster spots and bigger roles as August turns to September.
With QB Marcus Mariota sidelined, quarterbacks Sam Hartman and Josh Johnson should split most of the snaps. Defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, tight end Ben Sinnott, receiver Luke McCaffrey, return specialist Jaylin Lane, and veteran wideout Michael Gallup are among those hoping to make a statement in Washington’s first game-speed action since January.
On the other sideline, Mike Vrabel makes his Patriots head coaching debut, looking to turn around a team coming off consecutive 4–13 seasons. The offensive line is under the microscope, with rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson manning the left side, Garrett Bradbury at center when healthy, and Ben Brown getting plenty of camp reps. In the secondary, rookie corner D.J. James has taken advantage of extra snaps with several veterans sidelined. While second-year quarterback Drake Maye will get plenty of attention this season, Vrabel’s focus will be on the future, working to develop a team with more than a few areas to improve.
As always in the preseason, the stars may only appear briefly. For the rest, this is the kind of night that can change careers, and for some, it might be the best chance they get.
Conor Forrest is the Editor-in-Chief and Senior Commanders Insider for SportsJourney.com. As a graduate of George Mason University, Forrest has spent the last eight years sharing his love for sports with listeners and viewers in the DC area and around the world. He hosts the “After Further Review Podcast” and has held numerous on-air and writing roles covering the DC area sports, Division 1 Basketball, and the NFL. His work has been featured on outlets like NBC Sports Washington, Fansided.com, Heavy.com and The Fourth Estate.
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