The New England Patriots' secondary was one of the best in the NFL in 2025, perhaps surprisingly given who they used as their starting safeties. Craig Woodson and Jaylinn Hawkins — a fourth-round rookie and a career backup — patrolled the team's defensive backend, and they did a fine job.
However, the Patriots still decided to make a change by letting Hawkins leave in free agency and signing first-team All-Pro Kevin Byard to take his place. Four practices into their first training camp together, the pairing has looked solid.
Like the rest of the secondary, it also has been feeding off each other to build its chemistry.
"Feel really good about the secondary. We just got to continue to build and keep getting better," said Byard.
For the 33-year-old, training camp is business as usual despite being his first in New England. For his young comrade, meanwhile, it is a chance to get an up-close look at one of the best safeties of his era and a player who led the NFL in interceptions in 2025.
#first #Patriots #training
However, the Patriots still decided to make a change by letting Hawkins leave in free agency and signing first-team All-Pro Kevin Byard to take his place. Four practices into their first training camp together, the pairing has looked solid.
Like the rest of the secondary, it also has been feeding off each other to build its chemistry.
"Feel really good about the secondary. We just got to continue to build and keep getting better," said Byard.
For the 33-year-old, training camp is business as usual despite being his first in New England. For his young comrade, meanwhile, it is a chance to get an up-close look at one of the best safeties of his era and a player who led the NFL in interceptions in 2025.
#first #Patriots #training
3 months ago
