The New England Patriots are experiencing a huge change heading into the 2024 season. And while that might scare some, many of the players are actually excited.
And a lot of that has to do with who Robert Kraft decided would take over as head coach following Bill Belichick's departure.
Current and former players have all expressed how excited they are for Jerod Mayo to have this opportunity, and tight end Hunter Henry along with safety Jabrill Peppers are no exception.
Despite having only been back the facility for two days as the voluntary offseason program gets underway, they have noticed a difference. And it's one that excites them.
“We spent a lot of time with Coach Mayo. Even my first year here, I felt like he could be a head coach just by how he commanded the room," Peppers told reporters on Tuesday. "His attention to detail, how he got the best out of his guys, and I think one of the greatest qualities a head coach can have is his knowledge of the game, how he teaches it. Everybody learns differently, so you have to be good across the board, so all players get conveyed the same information.
"He’s a leader of men. He knows how to motivate you, get the best out of you... I’m just happy we didn’t lose him anywhere else."
Henry, who didn't spent time with Mayo on the defensive side of the ball, also could tell that he was going to be a solid head coach.
“I always loved Jerod. Bounced some things off of him the last few years. We have a great relationship, always admired him. I didn’t get a lot of hands-on experience with him with him being on defense, but loved his energy, just loved his persona and just what he brought to the building every single day," the tight end said."And so I’m excited to see that as it blossoms with him as a head coach.”
Specifically the one thing they both emphasized was Mayo's experience, knowing what the players are going through. He sat in the same seats as every Patriots player and knows what it's like to be coached. Now he's just on the other side.
"Obviously too, I think, he was a player. I mean he’s been in our seats, literally been where we are and played, then also coached too. So he’s seen both sides of it. So I think that from your leader seeing both sides and understanding us a little bit too and what we want, and maybe just listening to us is good," Henry emphasized. "I mean he’s been exactly where we are and knows what we want, knows how things go, and so I think just that player experience is big for us.”
Peppers echoed these sentiments.
“Absolutely. I think a guy knows not only what it takes to get here, but to stay here and be successful. Played a the highest level, Played in the biggest game," he explained. "It just gives you a different sense. I feel as though, even when the young guys come in, a guy who sat in their seats before, they’re more inclined to definitely listen to what he has to say no matter how hard-headed they are. And I think that with his knowledge of actually playing it and learning under Bill and with the rest of the coaches, I think it’s definitely a good thing. A lot of former players have had success in this league, so we’re going to do our due diligence to make them look good and see how this thing goes.
"But it’s just, as a player and then when you coach, I feel as though they have a different understanding of the game because not only were you out there, but you had it your way, you saw what works and what didn’t work, and now looking through it from a coaching lens, you can kind of save some guys from making the same mistakes you made, help them play a lot faster, be more instinctual, things like that.”
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