Liam MacKenzie – Student Reporter
Foxborough, MA – The New England Patriots opened their 2026 preseason with an unusual result, battling the Indianapolis Colts to a 13-13 tie Thursday night at Gillette Stadium. With the majority of their starters resting, the game provided an important opportunity for younger players and roster hopefuls to make their case.
No Drake Maye in the Opener – Third year quarterback Drake Maye was among the notable Patriots who did not play Thursday night. Instead, Tommy DeVito received the start and played the first half before rookie Behren Morton took over at quarterback.
The decision allowed New England to get an extended look at players competing for roster spots and larger roles. The Patriots had also held a joint practice with Indianapolis earlier in the week, giving their starters valuable work against the Colts before the game.
Devito Leads the Offense – DeVito provided some encouraging moments during his time on the field, completing 13 of 22 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. His best moment came when he connected with Kyle Williams for a 12-yard touchdown that helped New England establish an early lead.
The veteran quarterback also showed some inconsistencies, but the performance gave the Patriots useful information about their quarterback depth. Morton later received an opportunity to run the offense, although New England struggled to generate much late-game production.
Kyle Williams Makes His Case – Kyle Williams was one of the Patriots’ biggest offensive bright spots in the preseason opener. The young receiver displayed his ability to create separation and hauled in the team’s lone touchdown reception from DeVito.
With New England’s wide receiver competition still developing, Williams’ performance was an encouraging first step. He will have additional opportunities throughout the preseason to prove that he deserves a significant role when the regular season arrives.
Caleb Lomu Shows Promise in His Debut – First-round offensive tackle Caleb Lomu received an extensive workload in his first NFL game, playing all 39 of New England’s offensive snaps at right tackle. Lomu showed promise in pass protection, although his run blocking remains an area where he can continue to develop.
For a first-round rookie making his debut, Lomu’s performance provided plenty for the coaching staff to build upon. He will have more opportunities to adjust to the speed and physicality of NFL competition as the preseason continues.
Gabe Jacas Has an Up-and-Down Debut – Second-round linebacker Gabe Jacas experienced a different type of preseason debut. Jacas showed flashes of his physicality but also had moments where his aggressiveness worked against him, giving the coaching staff areas to address.
One of the more notable moments came when Mike Vrabel challenged Jacas’ effort on kickoff coverage. Jacas responded on the very next kickoff by making a tackle, showing the type of immediate response the Patriots want from a young player learning from coaching.
Eli Raridon Shows Flashes – Third-round tight end Eli Raridon finished his debut with one reception for eight yards. His box score could have looked much different, however, as a 24-yard reception was wiped out by a penalty.
Raridon also showed value as a blocker, including on a 15-yard run by Jam Miller. While his statistical production was modest, the rookie provided enough flashes for the Patriots to continue exploring how he can contribute to the offense.
Jam Miller Takes Advantage – Rookie running back Jam Miller received an extended opportunity and finished with 14 carries for 55 yards. His 15-yard run was New England’s longest rushing play of the night and helped highlight his physical running style.
With the Patriots’ running back depth being tested by injuries, Miller’s performance gives him something positive to build upon. More preseason opportunities will determine whether he can turn that performance into a legitimate push for a roster spot.
Defense Carries Turnovers – New England’s defense produced several encouraging moments, forcing four total turnovers throughout the game. Kindle Vildor and John Saunders Jr. each recorded interceptions, while Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and K.J. Britt helped create fumbles.
The turnovers allowed the Patriots to keep Indianapolis from taking control despite some offensive inconsistencies. For players competing for roster spots, creating plays like these can be particularly valuable during the preseason.
Borregales Has a Difficult Night – Kicker Andy Borregales experienced one of the more difficult performances of the evening, converting two of five field-goal attempts. He missed attempts from 56, 55 and 49 yards, with the final miss coming with 13 seconds remaining and giving New England an opportunity to win the game.
The performance should still be viewed within the context of the preseason. These games give players an opportunity to get back into the rhythm of real game-day situations, and Borregales will have additional chances to make adjustments and regain consistency before the games begin to count.
Colts Fight Back Late – New England entered the fourth quarter with a 13-7 advantage, but Indianapolis continued to hang around. Spencer Shrader eventually tied the game with a 61-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.
The Patriots then had an opportunity to win after getting into field-goal range, but Borregales’ 49-yard attempt missed wide left. With no overtime in NFL preseason games, the two teams settled for a 13-13 tie.
Patriots Fans Go “Tarps Off” – While the players provided the action on the field, Patriots fans created one of the night’s more entertaining moments in the stands. A section of fans went “Tarps Off”, bringing a trend that has recently become increasingly visible at Red Sox games at Fenway Park to Gillette Stadium.
The moment even caught Maye’s attention as he rallied the fans from the sideline. It added some personality to a preseason night otherwise centered on roster evaluation and player development.
A Tie, But Plenty to Evaluate – The 13-13 final score may not have produced the result New England wanted, but the Patriots gained plenty of information from their opener. Williams, Lomu and Miller provided encouraging moments, while Jacas and Raridon each showed flashes that the coaching staff can continue building upon.
There were also clear areas for improvement, including the penalties that erased promising plays and the inconsistency in the kicking game. Those mistakes are precisely what preseason games are designed to expose, giving players and coaches time to make corrections before the results begin to matter.
For now, the Patriots begin their preseason at 0-0-1 after a game that produced no winner but plenty of evaluation. The focus now shifts toward the next opportunity for New England’s young players to separate themselves as the regular season approaches.
