The New England Patriots open their first of three preseason games on Friday in a head-to-head showdown with the visiting Washington Commanders.
This will be the Patriots' first game since hiring Mike Vrabel as head coach. In less than a year, Vrabel has rebuilt the coaching staff and upgraded the roster on offense and defense. He inherited the team with a promising young quarterback under center in Drake Maye.
The 22-year-old signal-caller's development will make or break the Patriots in Year 2. So far, he has looked the part of a franchise quarterback at the training camp practices.