Vrabel demands field goal accuracy from Borregales after three misses in preseason tie

Key points

• Andy Borregales missed three field goals from 56, 55, and 49 yards in the Patriots' preseason opener against the Colts.
• The game ended in a 13-13 tie, with Borregales missing a potential game-winner with 10 seconds remaining.
• Mike Vrabel stated that making field goals is a professional expectation and emphasized that the team has two kickers on the roster.
• Vrabel did not rule out signing another kicker to create competition for Borregales, who has not faced in-house competition since last summer.
• The Patriots defense recorded four takeaways, including two interceptions and two forced fumbles, during the game.
• Borregales was 27-of-32 on field goals and 53-of-55 on extra points during the 2025 regular season.

Background

Borregales, a sixth-round draft pick from Miami in 2025, struggled early in his rookie season but found consistency in the final 15 games of 2025, going 23-of-27 on field goals. The current preseason struggles follow a period of reliable performance in training camp, though accuracy has wavered recently. The Patriots also signed a new long snapper, Niko Lalos, earlier this week due to an injury to incumbent Julian Ashby, a change Borregales cited as a factor requiring adjustment. Vrabel has previously emphasized the importance of turnovers and defensive consistency, as seen in the team's focus on takeaways during training camp.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports and the official Patriots press conference transcript highlight Vrabel's direct quote that 'we're expected to make them,' framing the issue as a standard professional requirement rather than a personal critique. The Boston Herald emphasizes the potential roster implications, noting Vrabel's openness to signing another kicker to push Borregales, while also detailing the specific distances of the misses and the impact of the new long snapper. Pats Pulpit focuses on the defensive performance, noting four takeaways that altered the game's outcome, contrasting the defensive success with the offensive struggles. All sources agree on the 13-13 tie and the specific field goal distances, but differ in emphasis: NBC Sports and the official transcript focus on the coaching message, the Boston Herald on the competitive threat, and Pats Pulpit on the defensive highlights.

Why it matters

The performance of the kicker is critical for the Patriots' offensive success, especially in close games where field goals can determine the outcome. Vrabel's comments suggest that the team is not willing to accept substandard performance, even in preseason, and may be prepared to make roster changes to ensure reliability. This could impact the depth of the special teams unit and the overall strategy for the upcoming regular season.

What to watch

The Patriots will likely evaluate Borregales' performance in upcoming preseason games and practice sessions. Vrabel indicated that he would not make a decision on signing another kicker immediately but would 'talk about it and see where we're at.' The team will also continue to assess the health and availability of other players, including Christian Gonzalez, who was listed as physically unavailable for the game. The next step is to monitor Borregales' accuracy and consistency in the remaining preseason games to determine if he retains the starting role.