Before the Patriots battle other teams, they must fight amongst themselves during training camp for roster spots and starting slots.

But finalizing the 53-man roster is far off in the horizon for the Patriots as they begin training camp practices Wednesday. Here are 10 questions they face as the start of the 2025 season unofficially begins.

1. Can Drake Maye continue upward trajectory?

The Patriots’ 2024 season was a disaster that saw first-year head coach Jerod Mayo fired immediately following a Week 18 loss to the Bills. There were few silver linings to the season, but one was the performance of rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who completed 66.6% of his passes for 2,276 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with 54 rushing attempts for 421 yards with two more scores.

Maye was shaky in his first spring practice in front of reporters, throwing four interceptions in the unpadded, voluntary organized team activities session. The media was not permitted to watch every OTAs practice, but Maye showed improvement through the spring sessions.

Now with pads being introduced a week into training camp, Maye will face his next test to see if he can continue to acclimate into new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offense.

2. Will defense return to dominance?

Maye should be better this season, and the Patriots’ offensive line and skill-position groups have seen slight improvements. But if this is going to be a truly successful season for the Patriots, with an increase in winning percentage, they’ll need to be dominated by the defensive side of the ball.

The Patriots brought in plenty of help on defense, acquiring defensive tackle Milton Williams, linebackers Robert Spillane and Harold Landry and cornerback Carlton Davis, among others. A third-year leap from Christian Gonzalez also could help him ascend from second-year All-Pro to one of the game’s best defenders.

There are high hopes for the defense with Mike Vrabel as head coach and Terrell Williams leading the unit. Williams missed the spring with an undisclosed medical condition, leaving inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr to lead the unit. Here’s hoping Williams has had a return to full health.

3. How does Josh McDaniels’ offense shift?

Quarterbacks other than Tom Brady have played under McDaniels, but the OC saw his best success with TB12 under center. Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time, but Maye’s combination of accuracy and mobility could unlock new elements in McDaniels’ system.

Former OC Alex Van Pelt barely let Maye loose on designed runs last season. That should change in 2025. McDaniels’ most mobile QB, Cam Newton, was allowed plenty of freedom to run. If that 2020 season when Newton served as McDaniels’ QB is any indication, then there should also be plenty of play-action in Maye’s arsenal.

4. Can new tackles settle offensive line?

The Patriots made protecting Maye a bigger priority this season, signing right tackle Morgan Moses and selecting left tackle Will Campbell fourth overall. Vrabel and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf also added veteran center Garrett Bradbury in free agency and selected rookie center Jared Wilson in the third round. So, things should be better for Maye, who was constantly under duress in 2024, this season.

Will the unit rank among the league’s best? Probably not. Moses is on the downturn of his career, Campbell likely won’t be an All-Pro out of the gate, there are questions with Bradbury and Wilson, and the left guard position is still unsettled across from starting right guard Mike Onwenu. But on paper, this group should be better.

5. What are open starting battles?

The starting lineup seems pretty well set at quarterback (Maye), running back (Rhamondre Stevenson), tight end (Hunter Henry), left tackle (Campbell), right guard (Onwenu), right tackle (Moses), defensive tackle (Williams and Christian Barmore), edge (Landry and Keion White), one off-ball linebacker (Spillane) and cornerback (Gonzalez and Davis), but there are still potential questions at wide receiver, left guard, center, linebacker, the slot and safety.

We’ll get into wide receiver and safety in a minute, but Cole Strange is the favorite at left guard, Bradbury and Wilson will fight it out at center, Christian Elliss and Jahlani Tavai are top contenders at linebacker, and Marcus Jones will likely be the top slot cornerback.

6. Is Stefon Diggs ready?

Diggs, the top offseason addition on offense, was limited in the spring, and he needed to pass a physical to earn guarantees in his contract. It seems like a good sign that he avoided the PUP list to start training camp.

He already had one offseason hiccup, getting videotaped handing out a pink substance on a boat. But his recovery from a torn ACL is even more important for the veteran receiver and his new team.

7. Who emerges at wide receiver?

Assuming full health of all competitors, Diggs and DeMario Douglas (slot) look like starters. Things get messy after that with Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Efton Chism, Mack Hollins, Ja’Lynn Polk and Kyle Williams all vying for roles and roster spots.

8. How does Vrabel view safety group?

Safety has been a major strength of the Patriots’ defense for the last decade-plus. Following Devin McCourty’s retirement, Mayo and Bill Belichick both showed a willingness to play Dugger and Peppers — both traditionally strong safeties — in the free and strong safety spots.

If Vrabel wants a more rangy free safety, it could open up a staring spot for rookie Craig Woodson or veteran addition Marcus Epps. Jaylinn Hawkins and Dell Pettus are also deserving of roster spots and defensive roles.

9. Will an undrafted rookie emerge?

The Patriots typically see an undrafted free agent earn a roster spot during training camp. Wide receiver Efton Chism made the strongest case in the spring, but running back Lan Larison, fullback Brock Lampe, quarterback Ben Wooldridge, tight end CJ Dippre and offensive lineman Jack Conley could also made a push.

10. How many rookies will remain in specialist group?

The Patriots elected not to re-sign kicker Joey Slye, then released long-time long snapper Joe Cardona this offseason. They were replaced by rookie kicker Andres Borregales and long snapper Julian Ashby through the draft.

Ashby currently doesn’t have any competition for a roster spot, while Borregales will need to beat out veteran John Parker Romo.