Best and worst: What we learned from Patriots' 24-21 preseason win over Eagles

FOXBORO, Mass. — The hometown fans at Gillette Stadium will need to wait until Sept. 20 to see Drake Maye in action.

The Patriots rested starters in Saturday’s preseason game since they participated in two joint practices during the week against the Eagles. It was the second straight week that Maye and co. have not suited up in a home preseason game.

Saturday night’s 24-21 win over the Eagles did feature a big play from an exciting young playmaker, another key injury to a backup offensive lineman and more.

Here’s everything we learned in Saturday’s preseason action.

BEST

CB Kindle Vildor

In one defensive series, Vildor had two pass breakups and an interception negated by penalty in a four-play span.

Vildor picked off Eagles quarterback Andy Dalton with a diving play, but rookie outside linebacker Gabe Jacas was flagged for roughing the passer. Vildor later broke up two passes intended for Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins.

Vildor is competing for a backup cornerback spot behind starters Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones. Vildor intercepted a pass in last week’s preseason tie with the Colts, as well.

WR Efton Chism

Chism looked like a starter among backups on Saturday night, catching four passes on four targets for 45 yards from backup QB Tommy DeVito. Chism is the Patriots’ seventh wide receiver, but barring a trade, they should keep him on the roster. He likely won’t get through waivers, and he’s a player worth continuing to work with. Chism makes plays every day in practice, and in every game action he’s earned.

WR Kyle Williams

Williams hauled in a 69-yard deep touchdown pass from DeVito to give the Patriots a 10-7 lead in the second quarter.

Williams has regularly run with backups this summer and developed a nice chemistry with DeVito. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel all but ensured that Williams would make the 53-man roster this summer, however. His releases off the line of scrimmage and speed have been evident throughout the summer.

Williams needs to become more consistent, but overall, it’s been a positive summer for the rookie.

LB Namdi Obiazor

The 2026 sixth-round pick made the most of his opportunities with a pass breakup in the third quarter to force a turnover on downs.

Obiazor is competing for a backup linebacker spot behind starters Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss. He faces competition for snaps from K.J. Britt, Chad Muma, Khalil Jacobs and Riley Wilson.

RB Lan Larison

This game didn’t exactly settle the Patriots’ No. 3 running back situation, but Lan Larison came out looking the best.

Larison started and picked up 29 yards on seven carries with a touchdown but also caught three passes for 41 yards. He impressed on a short-yardage first-down pickup late in the game and also returned two kicks for 54 yards. Hassan Haskins gained 16 yards on four carries and returned one kick for 18 yards, Jam Miller had 36 yards on 11 carries with 20 of those yards coming on one run, and JaMycal Hasty had 11 yards on five carries with a lost fumble and a 9-yard catch.

QB Behren Morton

You make the list if you play quarterback and punt like a two-way player in the 1960s.

All that Morton was missing was a one-bar facemask.

The rookie QB went 13 of 17 for 129 yards with a touchdown, fourth-quarter comeback and game-winning drive. He also punted three times for 133 yards.

WORST

OL James Hudson

It’s been a tough transition for Hudson from tackle to guard. He was flagged twice on the Patriots’ opening drive after starting at right guard. A holding penalty negated a 4-yard run by Larison on the first offensive play of the game. Another hold was declined because it came on an incomplete pass. Later, a free blitzer ran past Hudson on the way to sacking DeVito.

At this point, the Patriots seem like they would be better off claiming available offensive linemen off waivers during cutdowns rather than keeping Hudson at a position in which he doesn’t appear comfortable.

LB Chad Muma

Muma rose up the Patriots’ depth chat this summer during training camp and was working with starters in a three-linebacker base defense. But he’s struggled mightily during preseason action. On Saturday night, Muma blew a coverage, leading to a 25-yard gain by Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper then missed a tackle on the next play. He missed two total tackles on the night.

The Patriots have Britt and rookies Obiazor and Jacobs breathing down Muma’s neck on the depth chart. All three have played better in the preseason. Muma played deep into the game in the fourth quarter and left the game late with an injury. Some other notable players who were also playing deep into the fourth quarter: CB Marcellas Dial, S Mike Brown and OLB Bradyn Swinson.

OT Caleb Lomu

The 2026 first-round pick got turned around when the Eagles’ pass rush ran a twist. DeVito got sacked on the play.

It’s been a slightly disappointing preseason for Lomu. A slow start at tackle changed the Patriots’ plans to eventually give him snaps at guard. The Patriots have to hope for health from starters Will Campbell and Morgan Moses. Lomu doesn’t look ready to step into game action yet.

WHAT ELSE WE LEARNED

— Along with obvious starters, wide receivers Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins got the night off on Saturday. Meanwhile, Williams and Chism, both second-year pros, played in the contest. Boutte has been mentioned in trade rumors for two straight offseasons. The Texans recently lost wide receiver Jayden Higgins to a torn ACL and could be looking for help at the position.

— The Patriots are getting really low on depth along their offensive line now with center/guard Ben Brown, guard Andrew Rupcich and offensive tackle Marcus Bryant suffering injuries during the preseason. Lomu is the top healthy backup offensive tackle. Greg Van Roten is currently the Patriots’ top healthy backup guard/center. The 36-year-old veteran O-lineman was signed this week and suited up but didn’t play on Saturday night.

— Morton’s first punt was a 48-yarder through the end zone for a touchback. His second punt went for 43 yards, and his third went 42 yards. Morton did punt in college, and Vrabel said during a halftime interview that he was handling the duties in case of an emergency situation. Baringer had a helmet on the sideline while Morton punted, and he held on field goals and extra points.

— The Patriots’ defensive tackle competition bears monitoring. The Patriots seemingly have a deep group behind Milton Williams, Christian Barmore and Cory Durden with Eric Gregory, Joshua Farmer, Leonard Taylor III, Isaiah Iton and Casey Rogers all competing for roles and roster spots. The team did host veteran defensive tackle DaQuan Jones on a visit recently. The Patriots’ backup defensive line was making Eagles running back Will Shipley look like Saquon Barkley in the first quarter, which is a bad sign, since those defensive tackles will be tasked to play rotational roles this season. Taylor did make some impact plays, however, including a QB hit and two defensive stops.

— Rookie pass rusher Quintayvious Hutchins made the game-sealing play with a forced fumble. Rogers recovered it with 36 seconds left to give the Patriots the win.