FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — It was a busy first weekend for the New England Patriots as training camp got underway. Owner Robert Kraft revealed that the team offered to make Christian Gonzalez the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. Second-round pick Gabe Jacas finally signed his rookie contract. DeAndre Hopkins is roaming the sidelines while exploring a potential coaching role. And that doesn’t even get to the events of the first two practices on the fields outside Gillette Stadium.The Patriots are still in the midst of the league’s mandated five-day ramp-up period, which means they can’t yet wear full pads. But there was still plenty to glean from the two weekend practices. Here’s what we’ve seen, heard and learned two days in.DeAndre Hopkins explores post-playing coaching role with the PatriotsChad GraffThe defense is ahead of the offenseIt would be unwise to make much of the first two pad-free practices of the summer, but it’s worth noting that the Patriots defense has been better than the offense so far.That’s usually how training camp goes. The passing offense needs to figure out its timing and get in a rhythm. Run blocking is tricky sans pads. So the defense usually looks good.And that’s exactly what has happened so far. It doesn’t mean there’s any cause for concern with the offense, but the secondary, which is supposed to be the strength of the defense, has played exactly as the Patriots would have hoped.Christian Gonzalez has fared well against A.J. Brown. Carlton Davis doesn’t look like he’s lost a step even with his 30th birthday on the horizon. And the two safeties are looking like they could be the strength of the unit with Craig Woodson shining next to Kevin Byard.“Even though you do have dynamic players over there,” Byard said, “we’re a little bit ahead and making some plays. But when the pads come on and we get into training camp, I expect those guys to start making a lot more plays. But the defense has been having a lot of fun the first couple days.”Part of the reason for the defense’s success is that Gonzalez has been a full participant even as his contract negotiations drag on. He’s part of the reason Brown has just one catch through two practices.“The past couple days, I’ve really been seeing why he’s, in my opinion, the best corner in the league,” Byard said of Gonzalez. “He’s making a lot of plays and being sticky in coverage. … I feel really good about the secondary.”Kayshon Boutte’s boostEven with the defense getting the better of the offense the first two days, it’s been clear who the team’s best offensive player has been.Kayshon Boutte hauled in deep passes on both Saturday and Sunday. That’s important not just because the offense leaned on explosive plays a year ago — and they will need to again. But it’s important because it was unclear how motivated Boutte was going to be entering camp.He clearly has some frustration with his contract situation after skipping voluntary spring practices. Then, following his return in June, when asked about a potential extension, he said, “I wouldn’t mind being here.”So some thought that maybe Boutte wouldn’t show up in top shape, or that he would try to force a trade. Instead, Boutte looks like he’s building off an impressive 2025 season (33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns) when he was one of the league’s best deep-threat receivers.“He’s made some really good catches (on) back-to-back days,” Byard said.Gabe Jacas is signedAfter a lengthy, drawn-out negotiation following an offseason surgery that occurred after the Patriots traded up in the second round to pick Gabe Jacas, the edge rusher became the final rookie of the 2026 draft class to sign his contract when he inked a four-year deal Sunday.Still, it is not clear when Jacas will practice with the full roster for the first time. He was placed on the league’s active/non-football injury list. Jacas can’t practice while he has that designation, but he can be in team meetings.His eventual presence on the field will be a needed boost for an edge rusher position that might be the weakness on the defense, especially while Harold Landry remains unable to practice because of a lingering knee injury.Jacas opens training camp behind schedule after missing all of the team’s spring practices and not being present for meetings, but if he can catch up quickly, he could still play a meaningful role on this team.Craig Woodson’s riseDiehard Patriots fans recognized how well Woodson played as a rookie last season, especially in the playoffs. But Woodson may earn more national recognition if he keeps playing like this.Drake Maye targeted Brown on a crossing pass during Saturday’s practice, but the throw was a bit high and went off Brown’s fingers. Woodson made an impressive adjustment to go from covering Brown to nabbing the first interception of training camp.Byard may be the more recognizable name among the safeties after leading the NFL in interceptions a year ago, but Woodson looks like he’s picking up right where he left off last season.