Three important decisions the Patriots must make before regular season

With starters not finalized and contracts unsettled, New England Patriots rookie head coach Jerod Mayo and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf have work to do beginning Tuesday, when veterans report to training camp.

Here are some of the key decisions to be made before the regular season.

Who will start at quarterback?

The Patriots made solid moves this offseason at QB, signing NFL journeyman Jacoby Brissett in March and drafting Drake Maye with the third overall pick. 

Per The Athletic's Chad Graff, first-year offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt called Brissett the starting QB during June minicamp, and he is expected to remain the starter to open training camp. Brissett will function in a dual role, running the offense and also mentoring Maye.

Mayo will have the important decision of when to move Maye to starter. That promotion could come as early as Week 1 or as late as training camp in 2025.

Who's the starting kicker?

Special teams were a nightmare for the Patriots in 2023. Rookie Chad Ryland — the highest-drafted kicker in New England's history (fourth round) — converted only 16 field goals on 25 attempts (64%). (Nick Folk of the Titans led the NFL with a field-goal percentage of 96.7.)

In March, the Patriots brought in 28-year-old Joey Slye to compete for the job. Slye is reliable from medium distance (97% from 30-39 yards in his career) and has an overall FG percentage of 82.3%. 

Will LB Matthew Judon get an extension?

The starting linebacker will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season. ESPN's Mike Reiss confirmed the two parties have begun negotiations, and he expressed optimism that Judon would ink an extension.

"My understanding is that the sides are talking. So, it's not like a situation where the team is saying, 'Nope, this is what it is, you either show up, or else.' I'm told they've discussed different scenarios as to how to resolve it," Reiss said on 98.5 The Sports Hub. "Obviously, they haven't resolved it yet. But, usually in my experience, when sides are talking...there's a better chance you can get a resolution."

Getting Judon extended would be great news for New England. In three seasons with the Patriots — one of which he spent 14 weeks out with a shoulder injury — Judon has 32 sacks and made two Pro Bowl appearances.