Why Patriots will have one of the most intriguing storylines to start season

It’s a new era in the NFL. The New England Patriots are no longer a dominant force and don’t even have future Hall of Fame head coach Bill Belichick to fall back on anymore.

You’d have to go back to the 1999 season for the last time the Patriots’ sideline wasn’t occupied by Belichick. For this and other reasons, New England approaches the 2024 campaign as possibly the most intriguing story in football.

“I know what all of you guys want to know,” Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said regarding Brandon Aiyuk rumors. “One thing I did learn from Bill [Belichick] is I just — I don’t talk about players on other teams. So, just let me go ahead and say that now. But I remember as a player, I appreciated that. I appreciated that the only opinions that mattered were inside the walls. So, I’m still trying to apply that now going forward.”

Belichick’s hoodie won’t be walking through the door

That’ll be the biggest adjustment which also makes this Patriots team quite interesting. Everyone is waiting to see how they’ll look without Belichick roaming the sidelines. Controlling every aspect of what goes on from top to bottom within the organization where football operations are concerned.

In his first year running the show, Mayo will have his hands full. Despite the last few years of Belichick’s tenure in New England, Mayo knows better than most what he’s up against. Mayo played all eight of his NFL seasons under Belichick where he was a two-time Pro Bowl selection, an All-Pro and a Super Bowl winner.

No matter how bad the Patriots were to end Belichicks run, six Super Bowls and three AP Coach of the Year awards can’t be denied. Although Mayo was a career Patriot, along with being on Belichick’s coaching staff, he’ll still need to win over the fan base as the man in charge.

Franchise quarterback wanted

Drake Maye was taken third overall in this year’s draft out of North Carolina in the hope that he’ll become the team's next long-term signal caller. But there’s no guarantee there as New England even brought back Jacoby Brissett who began his career as a Patriot back in 2016.

Even if Brissett begins the season under center for New England, Maye will likely figure into the equation at some point. Unless the Patriots’ coaching staff deems Maye as not ready, it’s hard to imagine him sitting on the bench all season. Under the old regime, former QB Mac Jones was drafted 15th overall and played his entire rookie campaign in 2021.

Offensive spotlight

The offensive side of the ball in New England will be under the spotlight from the second they step onto the field in Week 1. Aside from the questions at QB, New England will be looking for playmakers to step up on offense.

JuJu Smith-Schuster might be the most well-known name on offense for the Patriots. Tight end Hunter Henry could become a favorite target especially if/when Maye takes control of the offense. Other receiving targets on the depth chart include DeMario Douglas , Kendrick Bourne (PUP list) and rookie fourth-round pick, Javon Baker.

Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson lead the way in the New England backfield. Finding a long-term answer at QB is one thing, but somebody has to step up and help make that selection look like the right one.

As of now, New England doesn’t have many skill position players on offense who have proven themselves as game-changers on the NFL level.