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Patriots Kick Off Minicamp: Maye Shines, Brown Scores

6/11/2026

Summary

Patriots Minicamp Practice

The New England Patriots held their first mandatory minicamp practice on June 9, 2026 in Foxborough, with most contracted players present.
Quarterback Drake Maye completed 19 of 22 passes and threw several touchdowns in red-zone drills.
Wide receiver A.J. Brown caught a back-shoulder touchdown pass and recorded two additional receptions.
Veteran wideout DeMario Douglas led the practice with five receptions, tying tight end Hunter Henry.

Summary

Jacas Holdout

Gabe Jacas is the only 2026 Patriots rookie without a contract as of June 9, 2026.
Coach Mike Vrabel said Jacas had an undisclosed procedure, a hamstring injury that kept him out of the Combine.
Jacas missed voluntary OTAs and the mandatory minicamp, prompting worries he may fall behind teammates.
Vrabel said he is not frustrated, stressed factors matter, and noted the player TreVeyon Henderson signed on July 18, 2026, ending the second-round holdout.

Summary

Gonzalez Optioned

Patriots exercised Gonzalez’s fifth-year option, guaranteeing just over $18 million in 2027.
Agent Reggie Johnson is negotiating a contract that could exceed the $31 million per-season earned by Trent McDuffie.
Gonzalez’s 2026 base salary is $2.259 million, a gap he hopes to close before July 25 training camp.
Defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr said Gonzalez’s presence, even in limited drills, is vital for the secondary’s elite performance.

History

Historical Context

In the 2001 season, the New England Patriots finished 11–5 and, after a 1-3 start, won Super Bowl XXXVI on February 3 2002, defeating the St. Louis Rams. Tom Brady’s emergence and the franchise’s first championship created a payroll model that now guides the team's current negotiations for rookie quarterback Drake Maye and coach Mike Vrabel.

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Patriots Minicamp Practice

The New England Patriots held their first mandatory minicamp practice on June 9, 2026 in Foxborough, with most contracted players present.
Quarterback Drake Maye completed 19 of 22 passes and threw several touchdowns in red-zone drills.
Wide receiver A.J. Brown caught a back-shoulder touchdown pass and recorded two additional receptions.
Veteran wideout DeMario Douglas led the practice with five receptions, tying tight end Hunter Henry.

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