Patriots' Most Competitive Battle in Training Camp May Be on Special Teams

Patriots' Most Competitive Battle in Training Camp May Be on Special Teams originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Every year, each team has numerous positions up for grabs during the offseason and training camp, and the preseason can be the determining factor. While the New England Patriots came into camp with an offensive line spot and receiver spots, among others, open for competition, the tightest race for a starting role may not be on the offense or the defense, but on special teams.

The Patriots' starting kicker competition hasn't been talked about as much because it's not as flashy as the rest, but New England has two players who aren't making the decision easy for their coaches.

John Parker Romo and Andres Borregalles have gone toe-to-toe in competition throughout training camp, and that continued on Monday. However, Monday was the first off-day for both kickers.

The two had been nearly perfect throughout the offseason and the preseason opener. Romo and Borregales each made a field goal and three extra points on Friday against the Washington Commanders. Although, Romo's field goal came from 57 yards out compared to Borregales' 22-yard chip shot.

But both guys struggled on Monday. Borregales made two of his five tries, and Romo went 1-4. Patriots' special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer spoke with the media before practice about the kicker's coon so far.

“We’ll just see what happens at the end of training camp because we’ve still got a long time to go,” Springer said (h/t Bostonglobe.com). “I love how both of the guys are competing right now to earn a role. That’s the biggest thing. Earn a role, but you’ve got to be consistent in doing it.”

Consistency is key, and that's something head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned early on in camp along with wanting to get the two players as much volume as possible.

Coming into camp, Borregales was thought of as the favorite to win the job because the Patriots used a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to get him. Meanwhile, Romo went undrafted in 2022 and has been with four different NFL teams and the XFL's San Antonio Brahmas across the last three years.

However, Springer clarified that it does not imply who will win the job. It's about which kicker can be the most consistent each day.

"I just think at the end of the day, it's like the consistent person. You know, it doesn't matter if you're drafted or undrafted or you're picked up in free agency, I think coach Vrabel's message was very clear, like you got to earn a roll," Springer said. "And if you earn a roll through consistency, showing up every day, to me that's the guy that's going to win the job. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter who they are."

While Borregales was drafted this yearand is only 23 years old, Romo brings a lot of experience. In fact, it's not the first time to two kickers have met. Borregales attended a kicking academy in Orlando as a top high school prospect, and Romo was a sophomore in college at the time, serving in a mentor role at the camp.

Kicker Andres Borregales: “All my life, I looked up to Adam Vinatieri. Legend. All those clutch kicks in the snow. I can’t wait to experience that. I know a lot of people thought that me being from Miami, that I can’t handle the cold. I think I can prove people wrong about that.” pic.twitter.com/jlAy4LGNWc

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 26, 2025

Now, the promising prospect and the college mentor are going head-to-head in New England to see who comes out on top.

“I’ve been coaching guys for a long time, and he was actually one of them, so it’s been a good connection there,” Romo said of Borregales (h/t Bostonglobe.com). “He’s a great kicker.”

While both kickers compete each day, they share slightly different mindsets during practice. Romo looks at each kick as if it's a game-winner, but knows he won't be perfect and is focused on short-term memory. On the other hand, Borregales looks at it if every day is a work on progress. Even if he goes perfect, there's always something to work on.

Both kickers have been at the top of their game for most of camp, and it's created quite the battle. But, their consistency over the next month will be the deciding factor of who replaces former Patriots' kicker Joey Slye in 2025.

Related: Patriots Rookie Making 'Special' Plays in Training Camp Drawing Attention

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 12, 2025, where it first appeared.