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The Jerod Mayo era in New England is set to informally begin this week, with the team kicking off their offseason program on Monday, April 8.
The Patriots – along with the Chargers, Commanders, Falcons, Panthers Raiders, Seahawks, and Titans – were allowed to begin their offseason program on April 2 due to hiring a new head coach this season. New England and Mayo, however, opted to wait a week to start things up:
“There’s still going to be time to put this team together,” the new head coach told the media at the NFL annual meeting last month. “I think as the staff continues to gel, not only on the coaching side but also on the scouting side, as the team continues to gel I just want to make sure that we as coaches are all on the same page before we go to the players.”
He continued: “We’ve been a part of situations where you bring these different coaches in, and this guy has one philosophy, and this guy has another philosophy. I just wanted to make sure that the coaches, and the staff, that we’re all on the same page going forward. And look, once again, you don’t win games in the spring. But you can lose them. I don’t want to fall into that trap. I want to make sure we’re all pulling in the same direction.”
Linebacker Matthew Judon notably told WEEI.com last Monday that he plans to be in Foxborough for the start of the team program. Additionally, as ESPN’s Mike Reiss noted on Sunday morning, newly signed quarterback Jacoby Brissett ($500,000) and 2023 captain tight end Hunter Henry ($350,000) each receive workout bonuses if they attend the program. Both offensive players are expected to be in attendance.
Running back Antonio Gibson, who the Patriots signed to a three-year $11,250,000 contract last month, has touched down in Boston and is expected to be in attendance as well.
Monday’s start marks the beginning of “Phase One” of New England’s program, which according to league rules, consists of two weeks of activities limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehab only.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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