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3 biggest Patriots training camp battles to watch ahead of 2026 NFL season appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots will have a hangover season full of expectations following their improbable playoff run to Super Bowl LX. The remnants of their disappointing loss to the Seattle Seahawks has been on the mind of the franchise, players, and fans alike, serving as their main motivating factor for the 2026 NFL season.
Several key positions on the roster will also be up for grabs as the competition for playing time and a favorable spot on the depth chart has already begun. Veterans are set to arrive for 2026 training camp Friday, July 24 with an official start for this Saturday, July 2025 from Foxborough.
Many key starters and veterans alike will be making their first appearances of the summer. Fans and experts will have a much better idea of how the 53-man roster will begin to shape over the next month, including key positional battles to determine which players get the nod for Week 1.
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We’ll take a look at three key positional battles that will be crucial for the Patriots’ success in 2026.
RB3 (Terrell Jennings, Lan Larison, Jam Miller)
With the one-two punch of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson already established in the Patriots’ backfield, the departure of last year’s RB3 and receiving back Antonio Gibson leaves an important opening for any one of a few players. The returning Terrell Jennings currently occupies the RB3 role on the depth chart but opens 2026 training camp on the active/non-football injury list, leaving the door open for another player to make an early impression.
UC Davis’ Lan Larison also returns for his second season after sitting out all of the rookie campaign with a broken foot. A pair of rookies will also enter the mix as seventh-rounder Jam Miller (Alabama) joins undrafted Myles Montgomery (UCF) looking to make their own impressions on coaches in securing the final spot in this rotation.
If the Patriots plan to continue reserving the RB3 slot for a pass-catcher as they did with Antonio Gibson, then the most likely choice here would be Lan Larison. While he’s still unproven and coming off injury, he’s looked very good this offseason and holds the UC Davis record for all-purpose yards (6,504). During his senior season, he hauled in 62 receptions for 847 yards and six touchdowns, making him a perfect fit as the receiving back in this offense.
We also can’t sleep on rookie backs Jam Miller and Myles Montgomery as both players have already made positive impressions this offseason. Montgomery recently became one New England’s highest-paid UDFA signings ($272,500 guaranteed) and Jam Miller is arguably the most physical runner on the depth chart. Both should be names to look out for during training camp.
LB3 (K.J. Britt, Namdi Obiazor, Chad Muma)
The Patriots’ linebacking corps is set behind returning signal-caller Robert Spillane and fifth-year Christian Elliss. Harold Landry III, who begins training camp on the active/PUP list, will retain his starting role on the edge after posting 8.5 sacks last season. Opposite of Landry will be Dre’Mont Jones entering his eighth NFL season, his first with New England.
K.J. Britt also arrives for his first season in Foxborough after playing 17 games for the Dolphins last season, also seeing his first action after missing minicamp. Because of this, fifth-year linebacker Chad Muma, acquired by New England last season, was able to make a strong impression during minicamp and offers a taller 6-foot-3 frame for defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr to potentially rotate.
We also can’t forget about rookie six-round pick Namdi Obiazor out of TCU who made a college career out of dropping into coverage and picking-off the quarterback. While the four starting linebacker spots should be set, the Patriots will need any one of these backups to serve as a reliable plug-and-play whenever injuries may arise.
K.J. Britt should be safest option here after posting his second-highest tackle total (35) last season and never missing more than five games in and single regular season. However, I think Namdi Obiazor is the most exciting athlete in the room with his 4.53-second 40-yard time, 37-inch vertical, and 9-foot-11 broad jump. Expect him to make a big impact with his sure tackling abilities and potentially being favored linebacker to step in off the sideline.
CB4 (Charles Woods, Kobee Minor, Karon Prunty)
The cornerback room, one of the strongest aspects of this defense, should also be set with a front of Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Harris III, and Marcus Jones occupying the nickel. While each player will have his respective back-up, the corner position is similar to the linebackers in terms of needing a sure substitute to step in and play several spots on the field.
Kobee Minor will return after playing just four games in 2025, leaving Charles Woods as the most likely candidate to prevail in this positional battle. He joined New England for his second NFL season and has significantly progressed since, expected to take another step forward as he supports the players in front of him.
Woods is also listed as the second-string nickelback, further proving his ability to cover multiple positions and move all over the field. Factoring in Wake Forest rookie Karon Prunty, who’s shown his own signs of promise, and Woods is the clearest pick to be the reliable next corner up off the sidelines.
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