FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots experienced something new Wednesday.
Jerod Mayo and Drake Maye took the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium, entering a new chapter in their football journey and officially beginning the process of trying to turn New England back into a contender.
You wouldn’t know it by standing underneath the overcast sky, but it was the type of day that could eventually be celebrated as the start of something positive.
The Patriots didn’t really have time to think about the potential for success, though, as they were preaching patience while entering a new era.
“I don’t know if it’s patience, but it’s definitely part of the process,” Patriots tight end Hunter Henry told reporters “… There’s always some kind of patience in training camp, because everybody is trying to get better at something. We’re obviously putting in a new offense, we have new coaches, a new regime, everything. Sure, there’s some patience, but that’s part of training camp.”
Maye wasn’t the focal point of the day, and neither was Mayo. New England was just trying to get off on the right foot, but there were some noticeable positives to come from the first day of camp.
“I think Mayo’s doing a great job,” Henry said. “His leadership style, how he’s morphing everything from the past into the future.”
The Patriots have not only done that on the field, extending a number of key contributors throughout the offseason, but have done so off the field. Mayo is bringing back fan-favorite former players, with some even joining the coaching staff.
It’s a new era in New England, and now is just the beginning.
