The Patriots’ preseason began with promise. A revived fan base. A statement win over Washington in joint practices followed by their 48-18 victory in the preseason opener. QB Drake Maye showed flashes. HC Mike Vrabel’s message of “effort and finish” rang loud, rekindling optimism. But as August wore on, cracks reappeared. The defense wavered. Depth was exposed. And the ghosts of a failed draft class lingered at the back of every conversation. By the time New England limped out of the preseason finale loss to the Giants’ backups, the picture was unavoidable. Vrabel, for all his steady presence, can’t quite erase the damage left behind from Jerod Mayo’s short-lived tenure.

The most glaring reminder of that damage sits on the roster bubble. With cuts looming

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