Monday Afternoon Patriots Notebook 7/27: Boutte Continues Making a Case, Jacas' Contract Details

With two days of training camp now in the books for the Patriots, the preparation for the upcoming 2026 season is underway, and we’ve already learned a few things so far about this football team.

Here’s a quick rundown, including some additional notes :

Change of Pace on Monday: Monday’s practice was essentially a walk-through, which Vrabel said was something they did last preseason for the sake of easing players back into things.
It’s a process he explained worked well in 2025, and as long as players show progress, they’ll continue a similar approach.
”We’re in more of like a walkthrough, jog-through day,” explained Vrabel. “This is our third day of what we would call speed, or this is our fourth day. Excuse me. We had the run test, which obviously is a speed, 2 days of practice. And then just from a load management standpoint, trying to take today as a walkthrough or a jog through.”
”So I don’t want you guys to be caught off guard. I know there was probably some questions or conversations about that last year, that this is something that we feel like can help us be able to learn and still develop and install it at different paces. And it was good for us last year. And if we can handle that, then hopefully we can continue with this. And, when we work, we work. I think you guys noticed that. And then being able to come out there today and still act like a professional football team and take care of the details and some of the technique, but just at a different pace.”
Kayshon Boutte is making a strong case for himself: While the offense had a decent showing on the first day of training camp, day two didn’t quite go the same way. Drake Maye completed just 50% of his throws on Sunday after reports had him going 6-of-12, and he didn’t get his first completion to A.J. Brown until the second day of camp.
Instead, it was Boutte who continued to be his most reliable target, with the fourth-year receiver hauling in two highlight-worthy throws over the course of two days. He’s been the subject of trade discussions for two offseasons, which would indicate they may not have had him as part of their future plans. But given what we’ve seen so far, he’s making the case for them to possibly forego a trade that might net them potentially a 5th or 6th round pick to instead remain in the mix.
Considering the expectations, it’s possible the team might instead keep him. That would ensure Maye keeps one of his most reliable targets in the fold, while also allowing Brown and Romeo Doubs to have a chance to acclimate with the QB in this offense.
Having too many good receivers is definitely not a bad problem to have, and Vrabel had praise for Boutte on Monday during his press conference as he continues to be impressed with the wideout’s approach.
“Well, I got a lot of respect for Kayshon, and we went through this last offseason,” said Vrabel. “He had a great offseason, and he had a good training camp, and that played out during the season. He was a large part of our success, and his communication through this offseason with Todd [Downing] and myself.”
”He’s a pro. He understands what his job is, and he’s gotten off to a good start. So I’ve got a lot of respect for him for the way that he’s handled all these different situations and the conversations outside of here and the noise that doesn’t affect his performance on the field.”
After two practices and a walkthrough, there’s still a long way to go. But for now, Boutte remains one of the biggest bright spots on offense in the early going.

(PHOTO: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)
Rookie Caleb Lomu has been busy so far: Lomu has seen time filling in at right tackle as the team manages Morgan Moses’s workload, as well as being used as an extra tight end. He’s been primarily with the second unit, but he’s gotten a fair amount of work so far with the starters each time Moses has been spelled.
We’ve also seen some of his personality, with Lomu coming out on Sunday energizing the fans before practice, and he’s brought the intensity and enthusiasm that you like to see from a young player.
He drew some praise from head coach Mike Vrabel on Monday. “Well, I mean, there’s a lot of new things, a lot of firsts out there and things that show up,” said Vrabel. “Got him … try to get him some jumbo tight end work, and he’ll play some tackle, he’ll play some guard.”
”We’re just going to look at some versatility and see where he fits and how he can help us. But there’ll be a lot of things that are going to be new to him and some techniques that are different and run schemes and pass protection.
He’s a willing participant. He’s a willing learner. He learns quick. He usually doesn’t make the same mistake twice.”

(PHOTO: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)
Hunter Henry’s Future: Questions have begun about the future for Henry, who is quietly heading into the final year of his contract.
The veteran is heading into 2026 without any guaranteed money remaining on his current deal, which leaves him with a little uncertainty beyond this season.
Henry was extended in 2024 after the club gave him a 3-year, $27 million deal, and Henry has certainly more than earned it. He was the team’s leader in receiving yards in 2024 with 674 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he was also tied for the team lead with Demario Douglas in receptions with 66. He took that a step further last season when he finished with 768 yards and 7 touchdowns on 60 receptions. He was also the club’s leading receiver in the red zone in 2025 with 14 receptions for 124 yards and 5 touchdowns. The next closest player was Stefon Diggs, who caught 9 passes for 44 yards and 4 touchdowns.
However, the end of the deal is coming at a difficult time for the veteran. The 31-year-old turns 32 in December, which is certainly not the best age when it comes to trying to land another long-term deal. At the same time, Henry’s been one of the most productive players and reliable targets for Maye, and also someone that Vrabel has quite a bit of respect for.
“Yeah, I love being around Hunter,” said Vrabel last Friday when the coach was asked if Henry was someone he’d like to see extended. “I mean, I talked about his consistency and his production. And, again, we’re not going to go down the road of talking about contracts.”
”But the more that I can be around Hunter Henry, the better, because he’s been a great football player. He’s a great leader for us, a very consistent player.”

(PHOTO: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
Jacas’ Contract Appears Complicated: Details about rookie Gabe Jacas’s contract have come out, and it’s an unusual deal to say the least.
Given the discussion this offseason about the status of his knee and the apparent “clean-up” procedure he had done, it appears the club had language included that will quietly be something to watch when he eventually gets out on the field and moving forward.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, part of the language attached to the 4-year, $8.6 million deal that was agreed to over the weekend includes an injury waiver that the team has, which will expire after 2028. Now the big question is the condition of that knee, and it appears that they’ll still take their time before he starts working his way onto the field.
Jacas wasn’t present on Monday, and while Vrabel did shed some light on the rookie’s situation, he said the most important thing was just getting on the same page.
“Well, I think the one thing is I’m not going to talk about specific contracts or the details with the contract,” said Vrabel. “The most important thing is, is that Gabe’s here and that we’re all on the same page and that we’re excited to move forward with Gabe. And tried to explain to him that again, with everything in this business in professional sports.”
”We’ve talked about that there’s a professional side, and there’s a personal side. And he had to deal with the professional side much earlier than some other players in their careers and things that we have to deal with as coaches at this level. And then when they’re here, it’s our job to get them ready and help them improve.”

(PHOTO: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)
No issues with A.J. Brown’s Health: Meanwhile, Vrabel dismissed any concerns that there were issues with Brown’s knee, which was discussed at various points before the team acquired him this offseason.
Vrabel was asked about it on Monday and dismissed the concerns, but he did admit that, like Moses, the club will likely manage Brown’s workload.
“I mean, I think a lot of things get fabricated, and people tell stories,” said Vrabel. “We didn’t … what other teams think or thought. We’re very confident in where he’s at physically.”
“He’s done every single thing. Will he do every single thing? Nope. He’ll have time where, or me or Frank or Jim, or us as a group decide that, just like Morgan yesterday, just like Reggie yesterday, there’ll be things. But I think he’s gotten off to a really good start, both mentally and physically, and acclimating himself to his team.”

Odds and Ends: The Patriots officially announced Gabe Jacas‘ signing, and placed him on the active/non-football injury list. However, Jeremiah Webb’s season appears to be over. He’s heading to injured reserve after having left practice on Saturday with an apparent arm injury… Vrabel had high praise for both Andy Borregales and Bryce Baringer on Monday when asked about the issues at those positions in Tennessee. “It’s important that we make all our field goals, and it’s important that we’re able to change field position and get the ball off,” said Vrabel. “You have to protect for those guys. But obviously, having Andy make the type of big kicks that he made last year, and we felt very comfortable having him back. And Bryce is such a— just a calming piece for Andy and then does a nice job.” He later added, “We can’t take those guys for granted. And the reason, when they do their job, you never hear about them.” … Vrabel revealed that there were four players who earned “offseason award winners” – praising a group of second-year players who earned the honor. “I probably failed to mention that just the other day, but it was a good showing by the second-year group,” said Vrabel. “Kyle Williams, Elijah Ponder, Jared Wilson, and Will Campbell. So that’s really good to see from a second-year group.”

About Ian Logue

Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.

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