The Mike Vrabel era in New England started with fireworks, but not all of them were the good kind. The Patriots’ 48-18 preseason rout of the Washington Commanders had plenty of highlights, from TreVeyon Henderson’s electric 100-yard kick return to a dominant ground game. Yet, the spotlight stayed fixed on Drake Maye, the young QB whose night swung between promise and growing pains.

Ball security and smart decisions sit at the core of Vrabel’s Patriots identity. It’s non-negotiable. Maye, entering his second season, knows this better. Yet five minutes into his first-quarter action – a brief stint that saw him complete just 3-of-5 passes for 12 yards while adding 16 rushing yards and a touchdown – the young quarterback failed the test. Crushed on a 15-yard sack, he coughed up the ball under pressure, gifting Washington prime field position. The defense bailed him out, but the mistake lingered like a stain on an otherwise clean stat line. That fumble represented a breakdown in the very principles Vrabel has hammered into this team since day one.

“That’s a bad decision,” Vrabel said bluntly postgame. “I think we’re gonna need better from him, and I think he knows that.” No sugarcoating. “Just can’t do that on my first time out,” Drake Maye admitted. “You can’t put the defense in that position when games matter.” The Patriots’ identity is built on four pillars – effort and finish, ball security and disruption, details and fundamentals, and making great decisions. Maye failed the two most critical ones: protecting the ball and choosing wisely. In Foxborough, that’s a sin even a 30-point win can’t erase.

To his credit, Drake Maye responded with a crisp 61-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 5-yard scramble. But the damage was done. One flashy play doesn’t offset a lapse in fundamentals, not when the Patriots’ entire philosophy hinges on consistency. Vrabel’s message was clear – this team won’t cut corners, even in August. Maye’s fumble wasn’t just a mistake. It was a betrayal of the identity New England is fighting to build.

The Patriots dominated, but the lesson was louder than the scoreboard. For Drake Maye, the preseason isn’t just about stats. It’s about proving he can live up to the standard. But while Maye’s fumble stole the early headlines, another Patriot quietly stole the show.

Efton Chism makes his case in Patriots rout

Efton Chism’s surprising physicality. The undersized slot receiver, listed at just 5-foot-10 and 198 pounds, didn’t just lead the team in catches (6 for 50 yards and a touchdown). He caught Mike Vrabel’s eye for something far less flashy: pure, stubborn play strength.

“I think his play strength stood out to me,” Vrabel admitted postgame, pointing to Chism’s ability to fight through contact, snag a tipped pass, and bulldoze through tackles on a screen. For a player whose spring hype was met with skepticism once pads came on, Friday night was a statement. Quiet in training camp, Chism reignited his momentum during joint practices with Washington – then cemented it under the lights, proving he could thrive when the game got rough.

Chism’s reaction to Vrabel’s praise? Grateful, but unsurprised. “I pride myself on and the little details and going out there and doing everything I can to my full ability.” he said. Whether blocking, route-running, or turning a broken play into a first down, his effort mirrored the Patriots’ core ethos. Even Drake Maye, who didn’t connect with him Friday, raved about Chism’s football IQ and relentless work ethic: “He’s a baller… That’s what we’re preaching – do things right, and you’ll be rewarded.”

With injuries thinning the receiver room (Kendrick Bourne and Ja’Lynn Polk sidelined, Javon Baker still carving his niche), Chism’s timing couldn’t be better. His performance didn’t just fill a stat sheet. It screamed reliability – the kind that turns undrafted long shots into roster locks.