Preseason Football Is Dying—And Thursday’s Patriots-Colts Tie Proves It
Preseason football is supposed to be the first taste of real competition, but Thursday night’s 13-13 tie between the Patriots and Colts felt more like a strategic chess match than a football game. The starters were all benched, the score was irrelevant, and the real drama unfolded in the training room, the front office, and the margins of the roster. Here’s why this snoozefest might actually be the most telling game of New England’s season.
The Great Starter Strike: Why NFL Teams Are Giving Up on Preseason
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: 31 Patriots regulars, including QB Drake Maye and star WR A.J. Brown, didn’t play a single snap. This isn’t laziness—it’s a calculated rebellion against the preseason industrial complex. Personally, I think teams are realizing the risks of injury far outweigh the rewards of August glorified scrimmages. When even joint practices with rivals like the Colts turn into glorified walkthroughs, you know the league’s priorities have shifted. What makes this particularly fascinating is how coaches like Mike Vrabel are openly admitting it. By calling the game a “productive” but low-effort exercise, he’s basically thumbing his nose at tradition. The NFL’s preseason is becoming a casualty of its own paranoia—teams would rather protect assets than showcase them.
Christian Gonzalez’s ‘Rest’ Was a Negotiation Tactic in Disguise
The absence of CB Christian Gonzalez, New England’s best defensive player, wasn’t just about health. Gonzalez is entering a contract year, and his sudden “injury” after a hard fall in practice smells like a not-so-subtle message to the front office. From my perspective, this is the new playbook for star players seeking extensions: underperform in camp, sit out preseason, and let the media speculate. It’s brinksmanship without the drama of a holdout. What many people don’t realize is that teams often encourage this dance—it gives both sides plausible deniability while they hash out deals. But if Gonzalez isn’t back by Week 1, the Patriots’ secondary could crumble, exposing a defense already paper-thin at corner.
Rookies Stealing the Show: Hope or Hype?
With the big names sidelined, the Patriots’ future took center stage. Second-year WR Kyle Williams was the lone bright spot, burning backup corners with NFL-ready routes. His 37-yard night wasn’t just stats—it was a statement. What stood out to me was how his explosive releases mirrored Randy Moss’s rookie swagger, albeit with less chaos. Then there’s OT Caleb Lomu, the first-round mauler who looked like a $100 million tackle in spurts… until he didn’t. His pressure allowed on a busted play-call exposed the growing pains of a rookie still learning to read defenses. The Patriots’ brain trust must be sweating: Do they bet big on these kids, or keep shopping?
Tommy DeVito: The Backup QB Conundrum
Backup QB Tommy DeVito’s shaky first half—highlighted by a brutal underthrown deep ball to Williams—raises a deeper question: Why is New England still auditioning career journeymen for the QB2 role? In my opinion, DeVito’s inconsistency (3 INTs in preseason play) screams of a team unwilling to commit to a developmental project. Contrast this with the Colts’ handling of Anthony Richardson, who looked like a superstar in limited action. The Patriots’ quarterback pipeline is clogged, and until they either trade for a proven backup or hand the keys to a young arm, this position will remain a liability.
The Hidden Battle: Special Teams and the 53-Man Roster Cut
Kicker Andy Borregales missing three field goals, including a 49-yarder to win the game, wasn’t just a punchline—it was a red flag. With a new long snapper and shaky holder, the special teams chaos could cost Borregales his job. But here’s the twist: his struggles are a microcosm of New England’s entire roster strategy. They’re banking on unproven depth everywhere, from the rebuilt offensive line to the linebacker corps. One bad break, and this team could crater. The RB competition between Jam Miller and Lan Larison? Please. It’s really about which player’s skill set best masks the team’s lack of creativity in the run game.
What This Game Really Says About the Patriots’ Season
If you take a step back and think about it, this tie wasn’t about football—it was about damage control. The Patriots are a team in flux, clinging to the past (Maye, Brown) while nervously eyeing the future (Williams, Lomu). What this really suggests is a franchise stuck in limbo, hoping a few young stars pan out before the Maye era fully kicks off. And maybe, just maybe, the preseason’s irrelevance is the wake-up call the NFL needs to reinvent its priorities. For now, though, New England’s 2026 season feels like a coin flip: heads, they contend; tails, they tank for a generational QB. Either way, the real action will happen far away from the field.
