The first day of Patriots OTAs is finally upon us, kicking off the next phase of the NFL offseason.
The schedule for today had Bill Belichick meeting with the media at 11 AM, practice taking place from 11:30-1:30, and Mac Jones, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Matthew Slater, Tyquan Thornton, and Rhamondre Stevenson doing player interviews right after.
Here are all the highlights from the day.
Bill Belichick enters the new media workroom
Bill Belichick arrives to the “new digs” (a.k.a. new media workroom) with a smile. pic.twitter.com/mmRKkGbQRX
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 31, 2023Had nothing to say about DeAndre Hopkins
On DeAndre Hopkins: "I'm not going to comment on players that aren't on this team." https://t.co/S4eEK5QLHT
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) May 31, 2023Didn’t offer up much on the OTA punishment either
Biggest takeaway from Bill Belichick: Full support for assistant coach Joe Judge after involvement in scheduling snafu that cost team 2 OTAs.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 31, 2023
"Joe is great. Smart guy. Has a lot of experience. He'll do whatever we need him to do, and he can do a lot. So he will," Belichick said.Mac Jones was the clear QB1
First glimpse at the 2023 #Patriots in the books:
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) May 31, 2023
- Didn’t see JuJu, Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, Matt Judon, Rhamondre, Trent Brown, among others
- Rookie LB Marte Mapu (torn pec) was in a red non-contact jersey, took reps early
- Mac Jones was clear QB1 from this view pic.twitter.com/iOxgwI1znfAll the absentees
Absent from Patriots OTAs: JuJu Smith Schuster, Nick Folk, Matthew Judon, Joe Cardona, Christian Gonzalez, Chasen Hines, Isaiah Bolden, Michael Onwenu, Trent Brown, Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux and Lawrence Guy pic.twitter.com/2J37YMUMdT
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) May 31, 2023Bill O’Brien’s presence was clear
A picture that captures some notable storylines from Patriots OTA:
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 31, 2023
🏈 Presence/voice of Bill O’Brien hard to miss — in command of offense
🏈 Mac Jones — punching back after challenging 2nd season
🏈 Just 3 QBs in traditional red jerseys; dual threat Malik Cunningham in white pic.twitter.com/vDvvJTI3HdMac Jones was Qb1 in all the drills
Mac Jones started off each drill at quarterback with Bailey Zappe and then Trace McSorley
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) May 31, 2023Jalen Mills picked off Bailey Zappe
Jalen Mills intercepted Bailey Zappe while playing safety. The pass bounced off Raleigh Web’s hands.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) May 31, 2023Joe Judge was very hands on with the special teams unit
Joe Judge was very hands on with special teams today pic.twitter.com/eMea8yppcQ
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) May 31, 2023Lots of love for Tyquan Thornton on the day
I don’t want to overreact to non-padded practices in May. But let’s overreact.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) May 31, 2023
Tyquan Thornton looked phenomenal.Explosiveness on full display off the line of scrimmage and through route breaks. #PatriotsMalik Cunningham with mostly WR work, QB work after practice
Malik Cunningham, who reportedly told teams before the draft that he'd be willing to change positions, didn't take any snaps at QB today and was targeted multiple times. Made a nice catch on a throw from Trace McSorley.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) May 31, 2023Cunningham is actually getting some quarterback work as we speak after the team’s post-practice conditioning work on the hills. https://t.co/rvpy52EFuM
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) May 31, 2023Ty Montgomery impressed as well
Ty Montgomery had a nice practice. He looks like the leader for the Patriots third down back position
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) May 31, 2023Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson’s first work on the o-line
Riley Reiff rotated between right and left tackle with the top offense.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) May 31, 2023
Calvin Anderson worked on the left side, with Conor McDermott rotating in on the right.Lots of reps were going to Kendrick Bourne
Patriots OTA in books.
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) May 31, 2023
Bill O’Brien in full command of offense as opposed to the collaboration of ‘22
Efficient and up-tempo work with Mac Jones running things first and lengthily.
A lot of reps targeting Kendrick Bourne
No Christian Gonzalez.
Talking to Jones shortly.Rookie Demario Douglas also flashed
Strong first impression today from Tyquan Thornton, who was heavily involved with the Mac Jones-led top offense. Lot of Kendrick Bourne, too, and rookie Demario Douglas also flashed.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) May 31, 2023
We didn't see JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was absent.Mac Jones showing his TEs love
Mac Jones was first up in every team period. Worked quite a bit with both Mike Gesicki and Hunter Henry simultaneously.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) May 31, 2023Mac Jones on working with Bill O’Brien
Mac Jones on working with Bill O’Brien: “It’s been really good. It’s been normal… He’s done a really good job controlling the room. I feel like everyone’s on the same page.”
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) May 31, 2023Mac Jones on Bill O’Brien: Command of the room … everyone on same page. pic.twitter.com/KrnAiJO1Vv
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 31, 2023Mac Jones on keeping his confidence after last year
Mac Jones on keeping his confidence after a rough year last year: “Really great people are formed from ups and downs”
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) May 31, 2023Mac Jones comparing Bill O’Brien vs. Josh McDaniels
Mac Jones on how similar Bill O’Brien’s offense is to the one he had as a rookie with Josh McDaniels: “I can’t get into specifics, but for me it’s terminology and things I’ve seen in the past.”
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) May 31, 2023
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