Football is right around the corner, and the New England Patriots just provided fans with a 50-minute appetizer.
With only eight days to go until they start their regular season, they released a new episode of their Forged in Foxborough documentary on Saturday. Titled “Building an Identity,” it is taking a behind-the-scenes look at the Patriots’ training camp, preseason and roster cutdowns.
The episode opens with quarterback Drake Maye at a high school event before quickly shifting to head coach Mike
Vrabel outlying his goals for what was at the time 91 players (with the help of rookie defensive tackle Joshua Farmer): build a team, earn a role, and prepare to win. From that point on, the episode tells the story of the next few weeks through the eyes of players, coaches an executives alike.
Among the players in the spotlight are linebacker Robert Spillane and wide receivers Mack Hollins and Efton Chism, the latter of whom sharing his emotions after learning he had made the team. Also speaking are defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, offensive line coach Doug Marrone, vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden, and ex-Patriot Danny Amendola, among others.
Besides Chism and fellow undrafted free agent Elijah Ponder getting the news that they had made the 53-man roster, other highlights from the episode include an insight look at joint practices (including Vrabel breaking up a skirmish) and behind-the-scenes footage of preseason staff meetings.
The Patriots will kick off their 2025 regular season next Sunday at Gillette Stadium. They will welcome the Las Vegas Raiders to town for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
