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Real ones know that back in the nascent days of the Internet, I used to write a feature titled “10 Things We Learned…” in the wake of each game. In that spirit, now that the spring workouts are in the rearview mirror, here are 10 things we learned about the Patriots this spring.

• The quarterback looks good. There appear to be no residual shoulder issues leftover from last year as he works to build chemistry with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. (Some of those red-zone throws to Brown during minicamp … whew buddy.)

If the offensive line can hold up, it’s reasonable to think that he should be just as good, if not better than he was last year. There was that yikes! moment at the end of Thursday’s workout when he appeared to get tangled up with Bradyn Swinson and went down, but it ultimately looked like a false alarm. Based on what we saw this spring, the truth of the matter is now, it’s all on him. The expectations have gone from “Isn’t it great that a young quarterback is already at this level?” to MVP-caliber stuff on a regular basis because of the offensive options that are around him. If he can keep the arrow pointed in the right direction — which means cutting down on the turnovers — and they can craft a solid protection plan up front, based on what he showed this spring, there’s no reason to think he can’t take another step forward in 2026. Four thousand-plus yards, 30-plus TDs, and under 10 giveaways is a reasonable request.

• A.J. Brown is an absolute game-changer for this team. His size, speed, and hands are all as advertised. They did a ton of red-zone work on the last day of camp, and he was an absolutely transformative presence, turning Craig Woodson around for a ball in the corner of the end zone that was maybe the most impressive offensive play of the spring. (See above.) Just impressive on all levels, but if he can bring that sort of presence on Sunday, the red-zone woes that plagued this team at times last year will be a thing of the past. If the knee can hold up, he’s going to be an 80-catch, 1,000-yard guy for this offense. Book it.

• The back end of the receiver depth chart is fascinating. A lot might depend on the future of Kayshon Boutte, and some roster spots will likely hinge on an ability to contribute on special teams. But there are a half-dozen candidates for maybe two jobs. Efton Chism had a good spring, as well as Pop Douglas. Kyle Williams stood out at times with his undeniable speed. (I’m still waiting on a race between Williams and TreVeyon Henderson, two of the fastest guys on the team.) At this point, I could see the Patriots heading into the season with a wide receiver depth chart that goes like this: Brown, Doubs, Hollins, Douglas, Williams, and Chism, with Kyle Dixon, Jeremiah Webb, and Nick DeGennaro all candidates for that last spot or two. (There are some distinct practice squad candidates in this group as well.) If Boutte ends up sticking around, that’ll force some personnel decisions when it comes to those last couple of spots.

• It’s impossible to measure offensive line play until the pads go on, but the versatility from Caleb Lomu certain stood out. He played both tackle positions — he took reps on the right side with what appeared to be a reasonable facsimile of the No. 1 offense in place of Morgan Moses — and also spent a brief time at guard. The biggest thing about rookies at this time of the year is that they don’t look overwhelmed by the pace of play, and they’re where they need to be on a consistent basis. Other than one time when he was manhandled by Milton Williams on one snap when Lomu was on the interior, he did as well as could be expected. The guess here is that he’ll step in at right tackle if Moses isn’t able to go at some point in the coming months, but that versatility was certainly eye-catching. As for the rest of the group, I don’t want to make any sweeping judgments right now because (again), there are no pads. But it looked like Will Campbell is good after the knee issues that really plagued him late last year. I’m not completely sold on Alijah Vera-Tucker playing 17 games — he’s still clearly working his way back to full strength — but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, Center and right guard (Wilson and Onwenu) looked solid and locked in, at least at this point.

• There are depth questions at tight end and running back. While he had his moments this spring, it might be too much to ask Eli Raridon to step into the TE2 role right out of the gate. I don’t know if that means you go get a free-agent piece now to replace Julian Hill (a low-key important loss for this group), or lean on the likes of C.J. Dippre, at least at the start of the season. Ultimately, the presence of a real fullback in Reggie Gilliam checks off some of the boxes there, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they went looking for another tight end. (Someone in the mailbag this week suggested a Boutte-for-Colby Parkinson trade. I don’t necessarily hate it.) At running back, they have to have a third guy emerge. I think they’re hoping for Lan Larison, but that also could be a big ask, at least at this stage of his career. (Larison’s roster chances could be improved significantly if he works out as a kick returner, something he was doing a lot of this spring.) For the record, Antonio Gibson is still available.

• There’s also a lack of depth at the second level of the defense, namely at pass rusher and linebacker. On the outside, there’s the hope that some of the younger guys on the roster will be able to emerge as genuine threats — out of that group, I’m inclined to think Elijah Ponder has a real chance to make the same sort of leap that K’Lavon Chaisson did last year. Dre’Mont Jones has the potential to be a great puzzle piece when it comes to working at different spots along the front, including the end/edge. (For what it’s worth, there are some incredibly intriguing veteran edge rushers who are still available, including Jadeveon Clowney, who worked with Mike Vrabel in Houston and Tennessee.) At linebacker, Chad Muma had some good moments over the course of the spring, and looked impressive at times in minicamp. But at inside linebacker, they might need another body behind the duo of Robert Spillane and Christian Ellis.

• The good news? The secondary is stacked. If the contract stuff isn’t a distraction for Christian Gonzalez, it’s a really good cornerback room, with Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones. I’d like to see one other player emerge — Charles Woods stood out at times this spring — but it’s an impressive group. At safety, I’m not engaging in hyperbole when I suggest that Kevin Byard brings the consistency, smarts, toughness of vintage Devin McCourty. Meanwhile, Craig Woodson plays like a guy who’s been in the league for five years already. You have to keep your fingers crossed for good health, but this group of DBs seems set up for success heading into 2026.

• There are some other personnel questions, including kick returner. I’m an acknowledged special teams’ honk, and while there’s a lot to like about the group they have coming back, no one has really seized the kick returner role. Williams and Chism handled the bulk of the responsibilities down the stretch last year, and while they did as well as could be expected, neither were as effective as Gibson. (Did I mention that he’s still available?) If I’m Larison or Dixon, I spend all summer practicing my kick return work. It could be a sneaky good way to make the final 53.

• Based on their interaction with teammates this spring, my guesses for team captains in 2026: Drake Maye, Hunter Henry, Brenden Schooler, Robert Spillane, Marcus Jones, and Kevin Byard.

• If it feels like I’m talking a lot about Byard, you’re probably right. He might not be able to replicate his remarkable 2025, where he had seven interceptions. (I had to double check that number because it looked like a crazy misprint.) But he’s another certified Vrabel guy. After scouring the market for his guys last offseason, the head coach went out and got some more this past offseason in Byard and Brown. It’s another time and another era, but in some ways, it reminds me of how Bill Belichick turned things around so quickly in New England. He brought in his certified Belichick guys in players like Otis Smith, Anthony Pleasant, Terrell Buckley, Roman Phifer and others to help instill a championship culture. If the first 18 or so months of his tenure are any indication, Vrabel is following a similar path. We’ll see how it all shakes out moving forward.

• Talked with the fellas from “Toucher and Hardy” on 98.5 The Sports Hub about the start of minicamp, Kayshon Boutte, Christian Gonzalez, and more. Get the audio file here.

• No pod this week with Hogan, but were hoping to get together again sometime in the next week to talk about the state of the team heading into the offseason. I did a few late last week that can be included here. One, I talked with my pal Jimmy Kempski of Phillyvoice.com to get a clear-eyed assessment of A.J. Brown and what he brings to Foxborough. And two, I spent some quality time with former Illinois assistant Joe Kim about second-round pick Gabe Jacas and his talents.

• Wrote about Carlton Davis III — one of my favorite guys — this week. You take some of the bad with the good when it comes to Davis, because even though he has a knack for DPIs (he led the league last year with nine), he made some big plays in important situations.

• Jacas and Harold Landry haven’t been on the field this spring. They really need them going forward. I suspect Landry will be able to get out there sooner rather than later, but the fact that Jacas hasn’t practiced yet is a less-than-ideal start for the rookie. Anyway, here’s more about the state of the pass-rush personnel in New England.

• Another big season for Christian Barmore would be big for New England’s defensive front.

• You want a human-interest story worth rooting for at camp this summer? I give you Marcellas Dial, Jr., who is trying to work his way back after sitting out all last season because of a torn ACL. He’s been limited this spring, but he’s looked good when he’s been on the field. “I’m stoked about coming back,” the 25-year-old told me. “I’m in high spirits, ready and eager to get back out there. I’m confident in my knee, and I’m just going to go out there and prove myself.”

• This week’s mailbag saw questions about the fiture of Kayshon Boutte, the practice bubble in Foxborough, Efton Chism III, and more.

• I have a few stories cooking over the next week-plus — including a big one about the return to baseball to Lowell — but it’s probably going to be awfully quiet on that front for the next few weeks as the NFL takes a break until mid-July. Get outside and take a breath before the start of training camp.

• Proud of the fact that I’ve been able to talk with a bunch of college coaches who worked with the Patriots’ 2026 draft class. Going to be adding to this list between now and the start of training camp at the end of July. Check out the complete list here.

Until next time.