The New England Patriots open training camp on July 25 at Gillette Stadium. Here's a closer look at a few storylines:

How will the Patriots' offense adjust without tight end Rob Gronkowski?

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said there isn't another player who can simply slide into Gronkowski's spot, because Gronkowski was such a rare player. So it's possible the tight-end position isn't as much of a central focus of the offense in the passing game, with the Patriots relying more on a stocked running-back position, and going to more three- and four-wide sets if the personnel at receiver comes together. The Patriots' offense has always been about tailoring its attack to the strength of its personnel, and how to best exploit the opposition's weaknesses, so it's a blank canvas at this point with Matt LaCosse (career-high 24 receptions in 2018) entering training camp as the No. 1 tight end.

One year after plugging Trent Brown in at left tackle to replace Nate Solder, will Isaiah Wynn be the answer as Brown's replacement?

It all comes down to how his torn Achilles responds. The 6-foot-2, 310-pound Wynn is a supremely talented pass protector who doesn't have the prototypical size profile for a left tackle, but he is an excellent athlete and the Patriots' track record in developing young offensive linemen is exemplary. So if Wynn is healthy, an authoritative "yes" is the answer. He's off to a positive start in this area, as he's not among the players who are opening camp on the active/physically unable to perform list. But to protect themselves, the Patriots worked left guard Joe Thuney at left tackle in spring practices. Thuney has a background at the position from his college days at NC State.

How will a higher-than-usual number of defections on the coaching staff affect Bill Belichick, especially on defense?

The Patriots are fortunate to have McDaniels coordinating the offense, which gives Belichick more freedom to delve into the D. He has traditionally done that in recent years, but with no clear-cut playcaller, his involvement might have to hit a higher level on game day. That, in turn, could have a trickle-down effect on how he likes to manage the game overall. Inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, in his first year on staff, was a notable presence on the field in spring practices and could become a key cog in how things are structured on defense.

Can N'Keal Harry do what very few rookie receivers have done in Bill Belichick's 20-year tenure and become a front-line contributor in his first year?

The best performance by a rookie wide receiver in Belichick's 19 years as head coach was Deion Branch's 43-catch season in 2002. That reflects, in part, how challenging it can be for a rookie receiver to make his mark in the Patriots' complex system. Harry has taken the type of humble approach that should endear him to the coaching staff and Tom Brady, with one member of the organization affectionately referring to him as a "war daddy" -- the type of player with exemplary toughness and ability.

Is Michael Bennett the answer to replace Trey Flowers?

In theory, yes, because Bennett projects to fill a similar role: edge-player in a four-man line who can move inside in passing situations, which he's proven capable of in the past. But one rule of building a team is to be careful of too many decisions that make the roster older. Along those lines, Bennett turns 34 in November, while Flowers turns 26 in August. As Brady has shown in recent years, advanced age in NFL terms doesn't always have to be viewed as a negative, but it at least bears watching in the Bennett-for-Flowers exchange.