Over the past three days, the New England Patriots held their final series of offseason practices with mandatory minicamp.
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore became the notable absence for the week, electing to skip the sessions over reported demands for a new contract.
Gilmore enters the 2021 in the final year of a five-year, $65 million deal he signed with the Patriots as an unrestricted free agent before the 2017 season. The deal included $40 million in injury guarantees and $31 million fully guaranteed at signing. At the time it was considered a great deal for Gilmore, but in the four years since, the NFL cornerback market has risen to a point where Gilmore is now the 24th highest paid corner in the league. He is set to earn just $7 million this upcoming season.
As for Gilmore’s football future, head coach Bill Belichick didn’t provide much information, telling reporters on Tuesday “I don’t expect him to be here, and we’ll just focus on the guys that are here.”
Gilmore could have been hit with over $93,000 in fines for skipping minicamp, but it is unknown if any such penalty came down. His contract situation will undoubtedly be a top training camp storyline later next month assuming no deal or trade is done before then. Stay tuned on that front.
As for additional absences, Chase Winovich, Rashod Berry, Terez Hall, and Byron Cowart were also not in attendance all week.
According to a report by NESN’s Doug Kyed on Wednesday, Winovich‘s absence from minicamp is “for nothing major” and he is expected to be ready for training camp.
Looking back on the players who did participate this week, take a look at some of the best minicamp sights and sounds shared over social media before the Patriots get the next month off leading into training camp at the end of July.
Red-zone work: Jakobi Meyers adjusts nicely to an end-zone throw from Mac Jones. pic.twitter.com/vWejGVlX4h
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) June 14, 2021
Gunner Olszewski made a slick 1-handed grab on a end-zone throw from Cam Newton.#Patriots QBs were being drilled to throw the ball high along the back line to prevent INTs. pic.twitter.com/S3IFFwtqkO
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) June 14, 2021
The Patriots QB competition commences on day one of mandatory minicamp. Looking like Mac Jones had a slight edge over Cam Newton in terms of accuracy with the rain coming down. pic.twitter.com/m9sM73Menm
— NBC Sports Boston's Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) June 14, 2021
Mac Jones hits Hunter Henry during positional work. pic.twitter.com/yIba4gReIr
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) June 15, 2021
Eyes on Patriots WRs: A closer look at one drill from Tuesday, as they work on coming back to the ball, with assistants Mick Lombardi and Troy Brown instructing.
Meyers-Harry-Bourne-Gunner-Agholor-Hall-Wilkerson-Nixon-Zuber-Ross-Hall. pic.twitter.com/j4eQAt5A3c
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 16, 2021
https://twitter.com/BournePoly11/status/1405105387783831552?s=20
Mac Jones is early on the field for a quick workout about 20 minutes before practice.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) June 16, 2021
Ernie Adams walks onto the practice field for the last time after 46 years in the NFL pic.twitter.com/ZaHvZe6WUR
— 98.5 The Sports Hub (@985TheSportsHub) June 16, 2021
Mac Jones to Nelson Agholor after Josh McDaniels coached up his new No. 1 wideout. pic.twitter.com/pRVzm3n1lN
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) June 16, 2021
Hunter Henry showing off his footwork in TE Drills pic.twitter.com/dBlVDmBqci
— 98.5 The Sports Hub (@985TheSportsHub) June 16, 2021
Rookie to Rookie
Mac Jones ?? Rhamondre Stevenson pic.twitter.com/1jmvBhrQKk
— 98.5 The Sports Hub (@985TheSportsHub) June 16, 2021
The 2021 @Patriots Mini-Camp comes to a close with a 2 1/2-hour practice. It was, easily, Cam Newton’s best showing, start to finish, in front of the media this spring. In contrast to Tuesday, he was assertive, accurate and seemingly comfortable.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/1r9n06mutU
— Bob Socci (@BobSocci) June 16, 2021
https://twitter.com/NBCSBoston/status/1405226010451365890?s=20
N'Keal Harry working under Troy Brown's supervision. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/5slovy91mi
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) June 16, 2021
Here's Gunner Olszewski doing his thing. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/K5ixripkQW
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) June 16, 2021
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