Patriots, Eagles Could Hold Joint Practices in Preseason (Updated)
The Eagles appear to be the only possibility to join the Pats in a joint practice.
Feb 4, 2018, Minneapolis, MN, USA: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson talk at midfield prior to Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsBy Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Just months after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII, the New England Patriots will get a "rematch" in an August preseason game. Because of that, it's possible that the two teams hold a joint practice in Foxboro.
UPDATE: Doug Pederson says the Eagles won't hold any joint practices this summer, so that puts this possibility to rest.
ESPN's Mike Reiss speculated about the possibility in his latest Sunday column. The most likely times for joint practices in Foxboro would be in the first two weeks of the preseason, when the Patriots play two home preseason games against the Washington Redskins and then the Eagles. But since there's reportedly nothing planned for the 'Skins, that would leave the Eagles as the most likely team to join up with the Pats at Gillette.
The Patriots held joint practices in 2017 with both the Jaguars and Texans, who they faced in the first two weeks of the preseason. It's worth noting that the Patriots played the Texans on the road and their joint practice took place at the GreenBrier in West Virginia. So a joint practice could also happen with the Carolina Panthers or New York Giants, who play the Patriots in the final two preseason games of 2018 - but the Eagles are likely the only team that would come to Foxboro.
(Photos by Hannah Foslien/Elsa/Getty Images)(L-R) Doug Pederson, Bill Belichick at Super Bowl LII practices for the Eagles and Patriots. (Photos by Hannah Foslien/Elsa/Getty Images)
Belichick was predictably mum on the matter when asked about it during his pre-practice press conference at Thursday's mandatory minicamp session.
"Right now we're just focused on getting through this spring," Belichick said. "We'll deal with that later."
The Patriots will hold four more OTA sessions this week on Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday, with Thursday's session open to reporters. They face the Eagles in preseason action on Thursday, August 16 at Gillette Stadium.
If the teams do plan to hold a joint practice, Reiss believes an announcement could come "in the next week or so."
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
