The New England Patriots will be facing off with the Eagles this week for joint practice. Obviously, there is always competition in joint practices at the NFL level, but with the recent A.J. Brown trade, both teams should be firing on all cylinders. There will be plenty of star power on both sides of the ball, and there will be plenty to keep an eye on.
With that being said, let’s dive into all things joint practice and prepare for preseason warfare.
A.J. Brown is going to be fired up
The former Eagles star will want to show out against the team that sent him packing, even if he wanted out. With the Drake Maye to Brown connection already looking deadly, we could see an even bigger jump.
Obviously, the Eagles have an elite defense, but a motivated Brown is not to be taken lightly. I predict he will completely take over these joint practices and won’t hesitate to let his former teammates hear his voice. With all the potential trash talk and tempers flaring, there will likely be multiple scuffles, if not an all-out fight.
The Eagles' offensive line will be a great test for Gabe Jacas
Philadelphia has one of the best offensive lines in football, and the Patriots will match up well with the studs they have on their interior defensive line.
The test will come on the edge. New England’s struggles at the edge rusher position last season were a big concern, and with the addition of rookie Gabe Jacas, there is some hope of improvement. Jacas has all the tools to be an absolute stud, but he is unproven as a rookie. Giving him reps against some of the best offensive tackles in football will be highly valuable and will allow fans to see what he’s made of. If he can hold his own and win a couple reps, we can be very optimistic about a better pass rush off the edge this season.
The Patriots' offensive line will also be tested
The Patriots biggest struggles in the playoffs came from their offensive line.
With a healthy Will Campbell and the new addition of Alijah Vera-Tucker, they are in a position to be much improved. We will get to see how they compete against one of the best defenses in football this week. If Campbell shows a stronger anchor, better technique, and keeps Maye clean, fans will know we have the pre-injury Campbell back and ready to go.
It will also be interesting to see how Vera-Tucker fits into the dynamic of the offensive line against a unit like the Eagles. If there is good communication and good protection, we can all take a deep breath with the hope that Maye will be well protected in 2026.
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