The NFL calendar moves at a quick pace. It seems like only yesterday that the New England Patriots hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after one of the most thrilling Super Bowls of all time. But since that special Sunday in February a lot has happened – most notably free agency and the draft.
With personnel additions and subtractions over, though, the focus can now once again turn to the players on the team and preparing them for the upcoming 2017 season. New England has already finished the first phase of offseason workouts, which started April 17, and has just begun phase number two.
The second phase, per the collective bargaining agreement, includes individual drills and instructions as well as team practices without live contact or drills including team offense against team defense. Phase two is three weeks long and includes rookie minicamp:
Rookie Minicamp: May 5-7
After three weeks, New England will start the third and final phase of offseason workouts. Over the course of another three-and-a-half weeks, the team is allowed to hold a total of 10 days of organized team activities. As is the case in phase two, contact is not allowed. Teams are, however, able to practice 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills.
The dates for the Patriots’ organized activities are as follows:
OTA Offseason Workouts: May 22-23, May 25, May 31, June 1, June 12-13, June 15
Furthermore, during the third phase, the team will also hold one mandatory minicamp. As usual during the entirety of offseason workouts, no contact is permitted during the three-day camp:
Mandatory Minicamp: June 6-8
With the Patriots returning to the practice fields soon, the 2017 version of the team will see its first action together.