Patriots training camp notebook: Offense preps for Seattle’s environment

FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 06: New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel arrives to New England Patriots training camp on August 6, 2026 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Summer Lamont/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The New England Patriots were back on the practice fields for the second straight day on Sunday but dialed down the intensity to a walkthrough session.

Here's what went down on the back practice fields.

Setting

Attire:Jerseys and shorts

Duration:ca. 90 minutes (10:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m. ET)

Conditions:Sunny, temperatures in the mid 80s

It was a light day for the Patriots as they worked at a walkthrough pace, although still used the time productively on Sunday.

Attendance

Absent: CB Christian Gonzalez, OLB Xavier Holmes, OL Ben Brown, WR Kyle Dixon, DL Christian Barmore

Returnee: OLB Dre'Mont Jones, WR Kobe Prentice, DB Eric Butler, LB Chad Muma

PUP/NFI: ED Harold Landry III, S Brenden Schooler

While New England saw a handful of players remain absent - continue to be highlighted by Christian Gonzalez - several players did return to the practice fields. That included top outside linebacker Dre'Mont Jones, who left practice early on Saturday due to a cut on his finger.

Takeaways

Silent count: Near the end of practice the Patriots top offense and scout team defense departed the practice field and moved inside the bubble with head coach Mike Vrabel. With the music then turned up, the offense's communication was stressed as they worked on their silent count.

This is our second or third time doing it. One of those things that works well for away games," Mike Onwenu said. Working on the silent count and being in those uncomfortable situations."

The Patriots worked silent count at times last season, but Onwenu noted that work has transitioned into the bubble this year to be more ahead of it this year."

Part of that may be due to an expected noisy environment Week 1 in Seattle.

Saunders' reward: Second-year safety John Saunders was a part of the Patriots first team defense as work split between two fields. He rotated in with Dell Pettus behind Craig Woodson and Kevin Byard.

Saunders has had an impressive start to the summer with a pair of interceptions on the practice field and one in Thursday's preseason opener. His play appears to have him climbing the depth chart, potentially jumping veteran Mike Brown.

After joining the Patriots in the middle of last season, Saunders has noted his comfort level has risen getting more experience in the system this summer.

It feels amazing now - second year with the guys and coaches," he said.

Offensive lines: To no surprise, the Patriots top offensive line remained the same with Will Campbell, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, and Morgan Moses aligning from left-to-right.

The second unit has seen movement the last two days after losing top interior backups Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich (IR) in the preseason opener. On Sunday, that line featured: Marcus Bryant, Mehki Butler, Jacob Rizy, James Hudson, and Caleb Lomu from left-to-right.

Other notes:

• As work split between two fields, the top seven wide receivers stayed to work with Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito.
• Will Campbell shared the left arm brace he has been wearing is precautionary.
• With Christian Barmore continuing to be sidelined, Isaiah Iton saw time with the first-team defense. Iton has impressed this summer and looks primed for a practice squad spot on a deep defensive line.
• Quintayvious Hutchins spent time with the first-team defense along the edge.
• Kyle Williams and Lan Larison repped as the top kick return pairing. Efton Chism and Jam Miller were the second unit.
• Gabe Jacas was the last player off the field working late on pass rush moves with Iton and Khalil Jacobs.

Preview

The Patriots will be back at it on Monday where the intensity is set to ramp back up. A busy week then continues with the Philadelphia Eagles coming to town for a pair of joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday.