Patriots, Jets Expected to Play Starters in Preseason Openers

The New England Patriots are expected to showcase much of their rebuilt team in the preseason opener against the Washington Commanders, with head coach Mike Vrabel indicating that most healthy players, including quarterback Drake Maye, should see playing time. While the exact duration of starters' playtime remains uncertain, Vrabel emphasized the importance of preparing to win and treating preseason games seriously. Maye, who is expected to have a limited leash, views the preseason as a critical opportunity to acclimate to live game action and build chemistry with key players like Stefon Diggs, who is returning from an ACL injury. The Patriots' competitive joint practices with Washington have shown improvement compared to last year and have fueled optimism about the team's potential this season. Similar trends are seen across the NFL, where teams like the New York Jets cautiously balance starter participation in preseason games to minimize injury risk while still gaining valuable reps. Overall, the Patriots appear poised to utilize the preseason opener to gauge their roster's readiness and build momentum for the regular season.