The New England Patriots are kicking off training camp on Saturday, July 19, with rookies reporting first. Veterans will follow on Tuesday as the team starts their preparation for the 2025 season under new head coach Mike Vrabel. All eyes will understandably be on key positional battles, players on the roster bubble, and newcomers. Creating as much training camp competition as possible will benefit every member of the team.
With that in mind, the New England Patriots should consider bringing in a former player to training camp with the hopes of forcing his way onto the roster or practice squad. Oshane Ximines, who was a surprise offseason standout last year before unexpectedly making the roster, remains unsigned in free agency and would be a solid addition for Vrabel's group.
Patriots Should Invite Oshane Ximines to Training Camp
After spending the first five seasons of his NFL career with the New York Giants, Ximines was released from the practice squad towards the end of the 2023 season. He then signed with the Patriots in April 2024 and emerged as a solid backup option at EDGE ahead of the season.
His tenure with the Patriots, however, only lasted two games – 14 defensive snaps and 29 special teams snaps – as he was placed on the IR list after suffering an ACL tear in Week 2. This unfortunate injury ended his season prematurely, a shame considering the momentum he had carried into the season.
The Patriots spent the offseason revamping on both ends of the field. Vrabel was especially focused on moving on from longtime veterans and bringing in defenders with whom he was familiar to put his stamp on the roster. That's why it's so understandable that he wouldn't be a free agency priority for the Patriots.
Now that the dust has settled and Vrabel has built the defensive unit he was hoping for, there might be room to bring in experienced veterans who can increase the competition level at training camp. Whether Ximines gets a chance to revive his career in New England remains to be seen.