On Friday, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo met with the media ahead of his team’s practice on the fields behind Gillette Stadium.
Since Mayo’s change-at-quarterback announcement on Wednesday, rookie Drake Maye has gone through two full practices and two full days of meetings as the new QB1.
The first-year head coach said that Maye’s new title has given the team a “renewed enthusiasm” as they prepare for their Week 6 game against the Houston Texans (4-1).
“Good week of practice,” said Mayo. “I thought Drake went out there and, you know, performed well overall. Once again - look, we gotta wait and see if it happens in the game, but he’s done a good job.
“I feel like there’s a renewed sense of energy throughout the team, and now it just comes down to Sunday, going out there and executing.”
When asked how he could tell that the energy had shifted, Mayo said he could both see it and feel it from his team.
“I mean, you could feel it, first of all,” said Mayo. “Before you even see anything, you can just feel the guys are locked in and ready to go. Those guys are running back to the huddle, just ready for the next rep. So it’s encouraging.”
So the Patriots have a pep in their step heading into their third home game of the 2024 season, still in search of their first win in Foxborough since Week 7 of last season - a surprising 29-25 comeback win against the Buffalo Bills.
And it makes sense - this game, albeit against one of the best teams in the AFC, can act as a fresh start to an offense that’s in desperate need of one.
Sunday is the beginning of a new 12-game season, in which almost all the stakes for fans around New England hinge on the development of their rookie third overall pick from the University of North Carolina.
The mini five-game season with veteran Jacoby Brissett at the helm was an epic failure. After coming out of the gates with a shocking 16-10 upset win in Cincinnati Week 1, the team has lost four straight, and has looked like the worst offense in the NFL.
Through five weeks, the Patriots rank 31st in yards per game (250.8) and points per game (12.4), as well as dead last in passing yards per game (119.4) and sacks allowed (19).
Will adding Maye under center be enough to start this new 12-game season off with a bang?
That remains to be seen.
But if you believe what Mayo said Friday, it certainly appears his team is ready for something different.