Foxborough, Pennsylvania The Patriots unveiled their 2024 roster of captains, the first group to be led by coach Jerod Mayo.

Center Last year’s captains were Deatrich Wise, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, and David Andrews. Long snapper Joe Cardona, safety Jabrill Peppers, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett are also new additions.

“They are the epitome of everything we preach about every single day, not just on the football field but also off it,” Mayo said, emphasizing how crucial it was that the captains be chosen by their peers. I can’t wait to have these guys. I know they’re excited as well.”

Following the vote on Monday morning, Mayo said that, in a departure from Bill Belichick’s tenure as head coach, each captain will henceforth have a “C” on their Patriots shirt.

Why did Mayo, a former player captain for the Patriots, think that was important?

It’s an honor badge, Mayo remarked. “I believe that when men act morally, they ought to be commended for it.”

Andrews has held the position eight times total, beginning in 2017. He owns two Super Bowl rings, making him one of the few players still in the league with the most tenure.

Cardona, who has also participated in two championships, is comparable. The nine-year veteran was ecstatic to add the title of “captain” to his listing.

“It’s an amazing honor to be named the New England Patriots captain,” Cardona remarked. It’s an amazing honor to have the chance to represent this team, to stand in for them and their needs, and to help us have the best season possible while keeping in mind the men who have had that role before me.

What does he think being a captain entails?

“A captain, in my opinion, is someone who gives their teammates confidence.” Someone who represents them to the coaches and to the general public works for everyone from the best player on the team to the sixteenth member of the practice squad. That’s all I would want to do if I could fulfill that duty.

Peppers stated that he would simply “lead by example,” as that has always been his style.

“There’s not much of a difference, because that’s how I act normally anyway, but wearing that patch comes with a huge responsibility,” he remarked.

Jerod Mayo dispels any ambiguity on Drake Maye’s function.

Although the New England Patriots will start Drake Maye’s rookie campaign on the bench, head coach Jerod Mayo has dispelled some misconceptions regarding the quarterback’s position.

In the team’s final preseason game, quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who was designated New England’s starting quarterback this week, sustained a shoulder injury. After the game, Mayo was questioned about whether, in the event that Brissett was sidelined, Maye would start quarterback for the Patriots in Week 1. Mayo wasn’t even prepared to commit to Maye as their number-two quarterback at that moment.

“I want to take this seat and state unequivocally that he is currently our second-best quarterback on the team. When asked at the time, Mayo replied, “I won’t know until I see the movie.

Naturally, that was unexpected considering that Brissett and Maye were reportedly vying for the starting position over the offseason. However, Mayo stated on Monday that Maye is the next guy up.

Jerod Mayo: "If Jacoby was to get injured in the first week, 1000% Drake Maye would be the next guy in" pic.twitter.com/5T89OjqMFY

— Patriots Coverage on NBCS Boston (@NBCSPatriots) September 2, 2024

“We talk about a continuous process when we talk about developing a guy like Drake Maye,” Mayo stated. “Drake would be our backup quarterback and the first guy in if Jacoby got hurt during the first week.”

As the Patriots recently parted ways with another experienced quarterback who had been on their roster, Mayo essentially confirmed what was already clear. They now have Maye, Brissett, and youngster Joe Milton III (sixth round), who is a long way behind Maye in the order of preference.

For the majority of the preseason, Maye outperformed Brissett, and many believed he ought to have started. Going into the season, the third overall pick seemed to be in the right frame of mind regarding the circumstances.