One of the big storylines out of the New England Patriots’ OTAs this week has been star QB Tom Brady’s absence.

The workouts are optional, but Brady has stressed the importance of them in years past. However, Brady not being there has opened the door for former LSU QB Danny Etling, who was the Patriots’ sixth-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft.

According to The Providence Journal, Etling has been getting more reps during OTAs, and he said he’s enjoying the extra work as he tries to get up to speed in the NFL:

“It’s been a fun time to just sit there and learn and try to progress,” Etling said. “I’m trying to take it one day at a time, one meeting at a time, one snap at a time and continue to try and progress and learn the system and keep trying to work hard and try to become the player I want to be. That’s going to take a lot of work … just staying and doing my job and learning what that is. The main thing is just being consistent.”

Brady will be the 2018 starter, and the backup spot will likely go to Brian Hoyer. However, that doesn’t mean Etling won’t have a place this fall.

If he can prove his worth this summer, he may be able to make the 53-man roster when the regular season begins.