Three Patriots Positional Battles to Watch this Summer
Three Patriots Positional Battles to Watch this Summer
The New England Patriots will have their share of hotly-contested positional competitions for making their 53-man roster in 2026. Mike D'Abate|
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New England PatriotsWith the start of training camp drawing near, the New England Patriots have a number of positional battles beginning to brew in Foxborough.
The Pats are hoping to parlay last season’s unexpected, yet welcomed success into another deep playoff run in 2026. Under the direction of head coach Mike Vrabel — as well as the on-field leadership of quarterback Drake Maye — New England appears ready to defend both their Conference and Divisional championships.
Still, the Patriots cannot afford to rest on their laurels. Despite possessing a great deal of talent at a number of positions, New England must ensure that their 53-man roster is composed of the right players for their style, substance and Super-Bowl aspirations.
In that regard, here is a look at three of their most compelling position battles heading into training camp.
Slot Receiver
While the roster status of third-year receiver Kayshon Boutte will continue to be debated in the coming weeks, the most intriguing position battle on New England’s depth chart may be brewing in the slot. Incumbent DeMario ‘Pop’ Douglas was the team’s primary option last season, having been utilized in the role on roughly 71.1 percent of his snaps. Despite logging a career-low in receptions (31) Douglas’ per-route and per-target numbers were quite the opposite.
In fact, the Liberty product averaged career highs of 14.4 yards-per-catch and 9.7 yards-per-target. His growing chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye currently makes him the front-runner heading into training camp.
Still, Douglas is likely to meet his match in second-year catcher Efton Chism, III. The 2025 undrafted free agent saw sparing time during his rookie campaign, catching all three of his targets for 75 yards and one touchdown. Not only does he possess the athleticism to change direction, but he has also exhibited sure hands and strength at the catch point. While Douglas will almost certainly be a formidable foe, Chism has both the skill set and the drive to win the role with a strong performance during camp.
Running Back — RB3
With incumbent backs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson all but cemented at the top of the depth chart, New England is primed for an intriguing battle for the third spot at the position. Seventh-round rookie Jam Miller is likely to enter the mid-summer competition as the top contender. However, his place among the team’s running back-hierarchy should not be considered iron clad.
Veteran Terrell Jennings contributed 73 yards on 23 attempts with one touchdown last season before being placed on injured reserve in late December. Second-year rusher Lan Larison was beginning to catch the sharp eye of Patriots Nation in 2025, before suffering a season-ending broken foot during the preseason. Judging by his performance during minicamp earlier this month, Larison appears poised to push Miller to the max heading into 2026 — with Jennings remaining very much in the mix.
Linebacker
Though team captain Robert Spillane remains the undisputed alpha at the position, the depth behind him at linebacker for the Patriots continues to be in question. As a result, the stage is set for perhaps the “sleeper” competition of the season.
New England signed veteran K.J. Britt this offseason to add some much needed experience at the position. While the 27-year-old Auburn product is neither the fastest nor the strongest among his peers, his football IQ and championship-level savvy (Britt played with the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2021-24) will provide him the opportunity to win the job.
Of course, it should be noted that Britt’s primary competition for a starting spot is incumbent Christian Elliss. Having won the favor of head coach Mike Vrabel and the defensive staff, the 6-foot-2, 231-pounder will attempt to turn his career-high 94 total tackles in 2025 into an increased role within the Pats’ defense this season.
With free-agent acquisition Dre’Mont Jones set to perform the strongside duties, both Elliss and Britt will need to hold off fellow linebackers Bradyn Swinson, Chad Muma and Jesse Luketa at the outset of camp.
Published Jun 19, 2026
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MIKE D'ABATEMike D’Abate has covered the New England Patriots and the NFL since 2017, both as a beat writer and managing editor for outlets such as On SI, Yahoo Sports and Full Press Coverage. He also served as the host and producer of the Locked On Patriots daily podcast from 2019 through 2025. A lifelong New Englander, Mike continues to incorporate his passion and unique insight into his pro and college football coverage.
Follow mdabateNFLBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
