Our first look at the 2023 Patriots didn’t exactly resemble the real 2023 Patriots.
The team’s first preseason game, against the Houston Texans, didn’t feature many starting players. The offensive lineup on that night didn’t resemble anything we’ll likely see this fall.
That’s because quarterback Mac Jones didn’t play. The same went for running back Rhamondre Stevenson, tight ends Hunter Henry or Mike Gesicki as well receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker or Kendrick Bourne. The offensive line that night was also full of backups.
The same can be said for the Patriots defense.