6 biggest takeaways from Patriots' final minicamp practice

The New England Patriots wrapped up their final spring practice on Day 2 of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.

Coach Mike Vrabel decided to shorten the practice schedule to only two days. So the Patriots are still scheduled to meet on Wednesday, but the team will not hold practice that day.

That created a sense of finality with Tuesday's practice being the last team workout on the field before training camp. The offense got the better of the defense in the last minicamp session, which is expected given the current setting of the practices.

It was another competitive practice in helmets and shorts for the Patriots with the defense responding in a strong way. Here are the 6 biggest takeaways from Day 2 of minicamp:

Defense comes back swinging

There has been a lot of talk about the offense hitting its stride in recent practices. The unit got the better of the defense at the last open OTAs practice and Day 1 of minicamp on Monday.

However, Tuesday's practice was a different story.

The defense stepped up in intensity and brought the heat this time out. They got multiple pressures on the quarterbacks, and All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez came away with a one-handed interception on Drake Maye. It sets the stage for some exciting training camp battles between the two units in late July.

#Patriots minicamp Day 2
🏈Drake Maye 9/14 INT, 2 sacks
🏈Red zone: Maye 3/6, 1 TD
🏈Christian Gonzalez picked Maye on a 1-handed INT on a go ball to Kyle Williams
🏈Stefon Diggs limited. No contact drills.
🏈Pop Douglas best WR: 3 catches, 2 red-zone TDs
🏈Sacks: K. White, Team pic.twitter.com/xQMM8Q8xeT— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) June 10, 2025

While Gonzalez had the lone takeaway in the practice, rookie fourth-round draft pick Craig Woodson led the unit with two pass break-ups during team drills.

Wes Schweitzer goes on the reserve/retired list

Wes Schweitzer's run with the Patriots ended before it even started.

In a surprising move, the team announced on Tuesday that the veteran guard was being placed on the reserve/retired list. Schweitzer was deep in the mix for the starting job at left guard for the Patriots. His exit now paves the way for Cole Strange, who should be the favorite to start next season.

It will also create opportunities for other players to step up and prove their worth as a leading candidate or solid backup option in training camp. Could the team consider kicking rookie center Jared Wilson inside to help the struggling offensive line?

It's something to think about.

Don't sleep on Demario Douglas

Demario Douglas looked like the top receiver on the field at Tuesday's practice with three receptions and two red zone touchdowns. People have become so enamored with the additions of Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams that Douglas feels like the forgotten man at times.

Douglas led all of the Patriots' wide receivers with 66 receptions for 621 yards last season. That number could improve in a Josh McDaniels-style offense that tends to favor slot receivers. Douglas is getting open often and consistently creating opportunities for himself to make plays.

He should be in serious consideration for a possible Year 3 jump.

K'Lavon Chaisson looks like a good fit early

K'Lavon Chaisson could go from being a perceived first-round draft bust to a legitimate contributor on defense for the Patriots. He was repping with the top defense at practice on Tuesday and could have been credited for half of a sack on Drake Maye, along with defensive tackle Milton Williams.

There's still time for the 25-year-old linebacker to turn his career around in the right situation. Mike Vrabel's defense in New England could be the opportunity he's been waiting for to get back on track.

The Patriots loaded up along the defensive front in the offseason, and there should be plenty of chances for a high-end athlete like Chaisson to make an impact.

Checking in on the quarterbacks

Drake Maye wasn't as sharp in this session against a Patriots defense that seemed to turn up the heat. However, he still had a solid outing, going 9-of-14 passing with one interception. The lone turnover came on a one-handed grab by Christian Gonzalez. It's hard to knock Maye over a great play made by one of the best cornerbacks in the league.

Joshua Dobbs went 9-of-15 passing, and rookie Ben Wooldridge was 2-of-5 on the day.

Patriots minicamp

11v11s

Drake Maye: 9/14, INT
Joshua Dobbs: 9/15
Ben Wooldridge: 2/5

- Tougher day for the offense. Defense brought the heat.— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) June 10, 2025

It was a better day for the defense, but the offense continues to show improvement from where it was at the start of OTAs. This was a good way for the team to close the spring practices.

Borregales stays ahead in the kicking competition

Rookie kicker Andres Borregales went a perfect 4-for-4 in field goal kicks at Tuesday's practice, while John Parker Romo went 3-for-4. It was already an uphill battle for Romo, and he hasn't done much to convince the Patriots to pass on their rookie draft pick in the early offseason practices.

Borregales looked solid, kicking between 33 and 51 yards.

Another perfect 4-for-4 day from Andres Borregales working between 33 and 51 yards. He ends the five open spring practices 19-of-20.

Parker Romo went 3-of-4 today with his miss from 51 yards.— Brian Hines (@iambrianhines) June 10, 2025

The Patriots have struggled to find consistency at kicker since Stephen Gostkowski was released back in 2020. Perhaps the sixth-round draft pick out of Miami can give the Patriots someone new to believe in on special teams.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 6 biggest takeaways from Patriots' final minicamp practice