The New England Patriots made a bold choice for training camp. They kept every single special teams starter from their Super Bowl run. No changes. No new faces. Just pure trust in the group that got them to the big game. This isn’t a gamble. It is a statement of total confidence.
Trusting the Draft Picks
Head coach Mike Vrabel and his staff are betting big on their young guns. Kicker Andy Borregales and long snapper Julian Ashby were both drafted during the massive 2025 roster overhaul. They took over immediately and delivered when it mattered most. Borregales started shaky but found his rhythm fast. He hit a massive 52-yard game-winner against the Buffalo Bills in Week Five. That kick changed the tone for the whole season. According to Pats Pulpit, he finished last year with 31 field goals made out of 38 attempts. That is an 81.6 percent success rate. He also nailed 60 of 62 extra points. Ashby had some minor lapses in snap placement but still played solidly across 21 games. Keeping them both shows the coaches believe the rookie year kinks are gone.
Baringer Faces the Real Test
Punter Bryce Baringer is the one player with the most to prove. The 27-year-old had some rough moments during the postseason run. He mishit three punts in the playoffs that went under 35 yards. One bad kick was a 23-yard line drive from his own seven-yard line. It sailed out of bounds and gave the Denver Broncos perfect field position. That mistake cost the team in the AFC Championship Game. Pats Pulpit reported that Baringer ended the 2025 season with a negative expected punt EPA. He ranked 24th in the entire NFL. The weather played a part in those bad outings. But talent should win out over bad weather. The coaching staff showed zero fear by not signing a new punter. Rookie Devin Bale tried out in minicamp but did not get a contract. Baringer is the only punter on the roster now. That is a huge vote of confidence from Vrabel.
One Unit, One Goal
Continuity is the secret weapon for any special teams unit. Veterans report to the facility on July 24. They know each other’s habits and tendencies better than anyone. The Patriots reached the Super Bowl in Vrabel’s first year because of this chemistry. They are not fixing what isn’t broken. They are doubling down on a unit that already knows how to win. The inconsistency issues are real, but the upside is higher with experience. New England is ready to dominate the third phase of the game again. If Baringer locks it down, this team has a real shot at the title. The roster is set. The trust is there. Now the players must deliver on the field.
Do you think keeping the same starters is the right move, or should they bring in new competition? Drop your take in the comments below.
