In recent years, particularly after the NFL shortened the preseason from four games to three in 2021, joint practices between teams have become all the rage. Rather than an even split or it being something of a rare occurrence, now it's the teams who refuse to spar with their preseason opponents that are the outlier. The data backs it up, too, as 29 teams staged joint practice sessions in 2025 after 30 did in 2024.
In 2026, 28 teams — including the Cleveland Browns — organized practice sessions with their preseason foes. The Browns doubled up, practicing against the Chicago Bears last week and hosting the Buffalo Bills ahead of their Week 2 tilt. On Wednesday, head coach Todd Monken made his affinity for joint practices clear while sending a subtle message about the Browns' third and final preseason opponent, the New England Patriots.
“Well, it’s a measuring stick ... I think the players would look at it as an opportunity to see where they’re at individually, whereas coaches, we look at where are we individually and then collectively as a team, schematically, what we’re doing, and all of that gives you a chance to build confidence as you move forward and also evaluate the roster, because you’re really going against yourself."
"Just like the Bears preseason game, you get to evaluate where you’re at. I know I’m excited, our guys are excited. It’s the one opportunity we get. We didn’t have another to practice with other teams.”
Is there a reason the Patriots passed on the opportunity to practice against the Browns?
The Patriots have a unique relationship with the Browns organization. There's been significant overlap from Bill Belichick to Eric Mangini to Romeo Crennel to even New England's current head coach, Mike Vrabel, who spent his 2024 sabbatical as a consultant for the Browns. With such a rich history of admiration, it's difficult to pinpoint why the Patriots would pass on the opportunity to sharpen iron with the Browns.
Logistically, the fact that the game is set for Thursday, August 27, might have been an impediment. Still, the Patriots' starters are unlikely to suit up in the contest anyway, and a joint practice session would provide them one final opportunity to get work in against another team before their regular-season opener 13 days later against the Seattle Seahawks.
Vrabel and the Patriots have engaged the Eagles and Colts in joint practices, which makes their refusal more noticeable. There are 10 teams that are still joint-practicing in preseason Week 3, so it's not like it's an unspoken rule that joint practices only happen in the first two weeks of the preseason either. It must be considered that the choice was deliberate.
When Vrabel was in town, he was under former head coach Kevin Stefanski's stewardship. It's possible that his unfamiliarity with Todd Monken — or disappointment with the Browns' organization for ousting his friend — led to him not having the requisite comfort to have his Patriots practice with the Browns.
It could also be that Monken's reputation precedes him. While no one is accusing Monken of being unprofessional, he certainly carries himself with a certain renegade energy that has ingratiated him to the Cleveland fanbase. It could be a gift and a curse, as maybe Vrabel didn't quite trust Monken to keep his players in check as it relates to practice scuffles, staying off the quarterback, and agreed-upon intensity levels.
In fairness to the Patriots, there have been two training camp sessions without another team that Monken has had to cut short for one reason or another. Still, it's an odd situation, especially since Monken chose to make mention of it in the first place.
It's probably a giant nothingburger, but if a year or two from now the Patriots and Browns cross paths and you notice Monken dialing up kill shots with the game already decided or trying to run up the score, we might have this starting point to look back on.
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