FOXBOROUGH – No matter what happens over the next few weeks through the end of training camp and preseason, Jack Conley and Alec Lindstrom will always have August 8, 2025.

The New England boys and former Boston College offensive linemen got to live out a childhood dream, wearing the Patriots uniform for a real game inside Gillette Stadium on Friday night.

Both Conley and Lindstrom are fighting for their roster lives and played the entire second half of New England’s 48-18 win over Washington in the first preseason game. It also happened to be the same night that Tom Brady’s statue was unveiled in a pregame ceremony outside in front of the lighthouse.

Not too bad for a kid from Dudley, MA and a kid from New Canaan, CT.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Lindstrom. “Growing up in Dudley, just outside of Worcester, I grew up with Patriots…like, everything. This is my fourth training camp, I’ve played for four teams and I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun. Playing in the preseason, just at Gillette, the atmosphere was awesome. My family was there. I had like 20-plus people here. Going out there and playing the whole second half. it was just a dream come true. Literally a childhood dream accomplished today.”

“It was surreal,” added Conley. “It was really cool. I grew up a fan. I grew up coming to games. I mean, Alec and I were talking about it. It was kind of like everything we’ve always dreamed of, so it was really cool. But, at the end of the day, it’s another work day too. Just trying to get better and earn a role on this team.”

Nothing says ‘earning your stripes’ like having makeshift lockers in the middle of a crowded Patriots locker room, but both guys know nothing is given in the NFL. Lindstrom is particularly aware of just how hard it is to maintain a spot on an NFL roster in his fourth camp. Conley is obviously new at this as a rookie, but he too is well aware that this could all end tomorrow.

“I’ve picked his brain a bunch over the past couple of years, honestly,” said Conley referring to Lindstrom. “This year as well. He’s been here for a little while now and that’s been nice too, having a familiar face here too. Honestly, I’ve picked everyone’s brain. I’m just trying to learn and be a sponge, take in as much as I can. I’m just trying to earn a role, learn every day and ask a million questions.”

“Every year as I’ve gotten older, you kind of learn how it goes,” added Lindstrom. “The starters are going to play and in camp, you get less reps so it’s basically being able to prepare yourself on your own. Whether it’s mental reps, watching film, just so you know you can go out and compete. Like I said, this is fourth year, fourth team. I’ve been cut before. Just going out there, playing ball, no nerves and letting it rip. Just having fun and that’s what it was today…just having the experience, knowing what to expect and being a pro.”

As far as getting to live out the dream together, it was simply icing on the cake.

“It’s awesome. I played with Jack for three years and having him here is great because getting here late in training camp, you’ve got to learn the offense quick,” said Lindstrom. “Having him there to ask questions or bounce stuff off him and then we’ve played together. Having that chemistry on the line and then be able to…like, if on the call I’m not 100% sure it’s ‘hey Jack, what do you got?’ and he yells out and helps me out a bit to pick me up if I don’t got it. So, it’s awesome. He’s one of my best friends. Going out there and playing with one of your friends is amazing.”

One thing both guys also technically have in their favor is a prior relationship with Mike Vrabel, having known and played with his son Tyler at BC. It won’t earn them a job of course, but it certainly helps to have that connection early too.

“I’ve known Tyler and Tyler and I are really good friends,” said Conley. “I’ve known Coach for a little while, but we really started talking more during the pre-draft process. It’s been great. Bringing the human aspect into it is nice and that definitely helps. But, at the end of the day, it’s business and it’s work.”

“Obviously, played with Tyler at BC and we’re best friends, we still talk almost every day,” added Lindstrom. “He’s getting the guys right at BC. I just saw he got officially hired. I know he was there for the whole spring and winter and everything. So, yeah I’ve known Coach Vrabel since college when I met Tyler and again, it’s just so cool to be here and Coach is an awesome guy…having these small things that can help me out is just a dream come true.”

Nothing is guaranteed in life and there’s a chance Lindstrom and Conley won’t be teammates soon. They both know that, but  for one night, they could share an experience they’ll never forget.

“Like I said, fourth year, fourth camp, I’ve been cut before. I’m not going out there thinking ‘oh I might get cut,’ just going out there doing my job and having fun,” Lindstrom said. “I’ve been playing football a long time. I know what I’m doing and I know what I can get better at, but it’s about getting out there, competing and playing loose. Play fast and just have high effort, good finish and try to standout on tape. That’s what it’s all about and whatever’s going to happen, happens.”

“You know, I’m a big believer in every day is its own day,” added Conley. “You can’t look ahead. Experiencing tough times at BC got me prepared to be here. Every day could be your last day, so you’ve just got to be grateful. I’m extremely grateful to be here and be around this group of guys. It’s an amazing group with great leaders, great vets and people that want to invest in us and help us get better every single day.”