Foxborough, MA – Ideas and notes of quick hits around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. QB Room Improvements: Former Patriot Coach Bill Belichick once shared the philosophy that if all levels of the quarterback depth chart are not considered, the entire team is put at risk. This is the importance of position.
With that in mind, the Patriot’s new-looking quarterback room, particularly Louisiana University’s undrafted rookie Ben Wooldridge, stepping into a developmental third role — is flying somewhat under the radar.
Drake May has established himself as a starter and is prepared to put a “C” on his jersey as the patriot captain for the first time in the second season. Joshua Dobbs has been signed a two-year, $8 million contract as a free agent serving as a veteran mentor/support system.
And after the Patriots selected a quarterback in each of the 11 draft picks, Wooldridge was signed to replace Joe Milton III, who was traded alongside the seventh pick in early April.
Why is it Wooldridge?
I’m allowed to explain to Ragin’ Cajuns head coach Michael Desormeaux.
“He’s obsessed with being a great football player. I’ve never been around anyone as hardworking and disciplined as he is,” Desormeaux told ESPN. “He set the tone for us with his work ethic and leadership, and was one of those leaders who were willing to do it, and everyone else demanded that they do it.
“It’s the kind of preparation you have to have in the quarterback position, and he also has all the physical tools you need. He’s a good athlete. He runs well. [4.81 in the 40-yard dash at pro day]. He has the strength to make every throw, but I think it’s his mental preparation and approach to the game that makes Ben stand out. ”
The 6-foot-2, 214-pound Woldridge, from Pleasanton, California, is an elderly 25-year-old rookie. He spent seven years in college – three years in Fresno, the last four in Louisiana.
In 24 games against Ragin’ Cajuns, he finished through the air with 4,622 yards and 37 touchdowns, adding 447 rushing yards and nine touchdowns to the ground.
In 2024, he was named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year after earning 2,453 yards and 17 touchdowns. His 66% completion rate was 24th in the FBS and 28th in the 72.5 QBR. One of Wooldridge’s signature performances came last season with a 41-38 victory at Wake Forest when he threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns.
However, Wooldridge also suffered a significant portion of his injuries. He actually shed ACL tears as a sophomore, a serious foot injury in the third year (Lisfranc), an AC joint sprained to the throwing shoulder last season, and later a collarbone injury.
DeSormeaux believes in Wooldridge’s toughness and determination to return from these set times. Apart from that, Desormeaux said two things that may have appealed to NFL teams such as the Patriots are his physical makeup and tricks to pick up X and O.
“When you meet him in person, you see how well he is built – he sees that part [32-inch arm length, 78¾ wingspan]and I think his arm strength was probably better than those expected,” he said.
“Then you spend five minutes with him and you’re blown away by his football intelligence. His understanding of his understanding – it says that you’ve mastered our attack. He processes the execution ID and calls the combination.
2. Three straights on the road: The Patriots released their 2025 schedule on Wednesday. One aspect that naturally stood out from the reveal was the stretch of three straight road games in October (Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titan).
How rare is that?
The Ravens and Titans are the only teams to stretch three games on the road this season. The Titans trio (Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, and Las Vegas Raiders) will come before hosting the Patriots on October 19th in Mike Vrabel’s highly anticipated return to Nashville.
Meanwhile, after consecutive years with 14 weeks of goodbye, Mike North, NFL vice president of broadcasting plans He said he was surprised If the Patriots have another 14 weeks of goodbye next season.
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Schefter: Christian Barmore cleared for football activities
Adam Schefter reports that Patriots DT Christian Barmore has been cleared to play after missing most of last season due to a blood clot.
3. Williams sets the tone: The team’s highest paying players are also one of the hardest-working workers, which could be a powerful force. Free agents appear to be unfolding behind the scenes with free agents signing Milton Williams, a regular participant in a voluntary offseason program.
“I’m trying to lead by example. Hopefully they’ll want me to work and they want to follow suits. They’ll want to take everyone to what we’re trying to build here,” Williams said.
fellow defensive tackle Christian Barmore is one caught up in what is now. They compete daily about who will arrive earlier.
“He makes me work hard,” Barmore said.
4. Feel “fake”: Episode 1 of Patriot Production “Forged in Foxborough” The series fell on Friday, focusing on Vrabel and his vision for building the team. Viewers took the viewers into the team meeting room. There, quarterbacks May and Dobbs were the only players sitting in the front row in the middle, along with running Antonio Gibson.
We also saw some of the flashy scouts of teams on the road, including Tucker Ingraham (National), Matt Evans (National), and JT Hill (West), and how Hill noticed Washington State receiver Kyle Williams had his best day during senior bowl practice.
It eventually manifested in the third round with the patriots choosing Williams.
5. The team wanted a pick 38: One of the draft day nuggets revealed in “Forged in Foxborough” is that the Chicago Bears tried to offer a pick 38 and a seventh round to do it. The assumption is that they wanted to run back Treveyon Henderson. The Patriot declined and took Henderson himself.
On another proposal from Houston, the Patriots turned down a Pick 38 contract that would have given them the third round of 58, 79 and 2025. Another detail – The 2026 fourth round pick, acquired in the Kansas City pick No. 85 trade, is not the original Chiefs pick, but a selection originally owned by Chicago.
Question: What’s different about Josh McDaniels since last worked with him in 2021?
Kendrick Bourne (with a smile): “He looks great. It’s really nice. I was telling him that – I teased him. I love his energy.” pic.twitter.com/apdqdkrdtm
– Mike Rice (@mikereiss) May 13, 2025
6. Rhamondre’s Heart Pain: Rhamondre Stevenson’s father, Robert, passed away in March at the age of 54. Stephenson also passed away last season, his childhood friend Brandan Harley. Understanding Stephenson’s sudden, heartbreaking loss in a short period of time, his teammates personally say they want to provide as much support as possible once they start to spend more time at the facility.
His recent absence during a voluntary offseason program may explain why the team signed a one-year contract with veteran Traveon Williams on Wednesday, adding another layer of depth, adding another depth to better distribute some of the work.
7. They said it: “It was a big deal for me to look after my parents. Make sure they’re getting better and don’t have to work as hard as they’ve worked. I’m just trying to pay them back.” – Williams, his four years, $104 million contract, and what he’s been out of reach before.
8. Mac’s Wrap: Former Patriot linebacker Mac Wilson Sr. I wrote and sang “18 Bar” rap song as part of the Cardinals schedule release. Wilson played for New England in 2024, then went on to have a solid debut season with Arizona in 2024.
9. Did you know? Part I: The Patriots will be holding primetime games at home against the New York Jets (November 13) and the New York Giants (December 1), marking the fourth time they will face the Jets and Giants in Primetime in the same season (1987, 1999, 2019).
10. Did you know? Part II: A total of 59 quarterbacks began at least one game last season. Eight teams started at least one game with three different quarterbacks.
