The New England Patriots practice squad will evolve as the 2024 NFL season progresses, but we now have a complete picture of the initial group. A pair of signings filled the final practice squad spots on Monday, and the moves were notable more for whom they didn’t include than for the players who were added.
Patriots Practice Squad Now Full After Latest Signings
The Patriots on Monday announced the signings of linebackers Joe Giles-Harris and Yvandy Rigby to the practice squad. New England now has a full 16-man practice squad, although the group includes a 17th player thanks to an NFL rule concerning international players.
Here’s what the Patriots practice squad looked like as of Tuesday morning:
- WR Matt Landers
- WR Jalen Reagor
- TE Mitchell Wilcox
- RB Kevin Harris
- RB Terrell Jennings
- G Michael Jordan
- C Bryan Hudson
- G Jerome Carvin
- OL Liam Fornadel
- DE Jotham Russell
- DE Brevin Allen
- DT Trysten Hill
- CB Isaiah Bolden
- S A.J. Thomas
- LB Yvandy Rigby
- LB Ochaun Mathis
- LB Joe Giles-Harris
Now, about that rule.
Russell doesn’t count toward the 16 slots because he’s a member of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. A former Australian rugby player, Russell essentially allows the Patriots to carry a 17-man practice squad. He signed with New England during the offseason and fully participated throughout training camp.
The practice squad includes two receivers, one tight end, two running backs, four interior offensive linemen, three defensive linemen, two defensive backs, and three linebackers. One notable omission: a quarterback.
PFN Analysis: Patriots Practice Squad Still Has Glaring Hole
Drake Maye lost his quarterback competition against Jacoby Brissett, but the Patriots’ practice squad construction potentially serves as a tacit endorsement of the rookie QB.
New England carried Brissett, Maye, and rookie Joe Milton III on its initial 53-man roster. Due to the rawness of Maye and Milton, many expected the Patriots to sign a signal-caller to the practice squad. A veteran with experience in a West Coast offense and capable of offering higher-floor insurance behind Brissett seemed like a logical choice.
But that didn’t happen — at least not yet. For now, the Patriots will enter the season with Maye as their top backup quarterback. If Brissett suffered a serious injury, Maye would get the call.
“For me, any rookie quarterback or rookie in general, it’s tough to come into this league and play at a high level,” head coach Jerod Mayo said Monday when asked about not signing a practice-squad QB. “When we talk about developing a guy like Drake, that is a continuous process.
“If Jacoby was to get injured in the first week, 1,000%, Drake would be the next guy as the No. 2 quarterback on our roster.”
When asked to clarify whether Maye would start if Brissett is injured, Mayo doubled down.
“Well, he has no other choice,” Mayo said. “He’s our second-string quarterback.”
Jerod Mayo: "If Jacoby was to get injured in the first week, 1000% Drake Maye would be the next guy in" pic.twitter.com/5T89OjqMFY
— Patriots Coverage on NBCS Boston (@NBCSPatriots) September 2, 2024
So, is that the right decision? It’s complicated.
You could argue that if Maye is ready to start Week 2, he should start Week 1. That said, if Maye is forced to start, the Patriots likely will make him operate a simplified, run-heavy offense to avoid injury and catastrophic rookie mistakes.
If such a scenario plays out, New England would deserve criticism. If Maye is only ready to run a dumbed-down offense, why not add a veteran QB who can take on more responsibility? Don’t force the future of the franchise into a situation he isn’t prepared for.
Mayo and the Patriots seemingly want to have their cake and eat it too. They know Maye isn’t ready to start and want to keep him on the bench, but they also want to reassure fans that the No. 3 overall pick isn’t that far away.
Perhaps Maye just needs a few extra weeks of seasoning and will be ready to go in October. Maybe the Patriots’ plan for his development has been spot-on from the start, and the rookie is on schedule.
But the mixed messaging is confusing and makes it difficult to discern where Mayo, his assistants, and the front office truly stand on Maye.
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