For the first time since 1999, the New England Patriots will have a head coach not named Bill Belichick.
The Patriots parted ways with Belichick after a miserable 2023 campaign in which the club went just 4-13, marking their worst record since 1992.
Now, Jerod Mayo—who had previously been serving as New England’s linebackers coach—has been elevated to the role of head coach, which has created a new atmosphere in the Pats’ organization.
Patriots tight end Hunter Henry, who has already arrived in Foxborough for the team’s voluntary offseason workout program, recently commented on the change and seems refreshed.
“It’s been good so far … it’s exciting,” Henry said on Tuesday, via Mike D’Abate of Patriots Country. “I’m excited to be back, excited to be around the guys. I love this time of year.”
Hunter added that things definitely feel distinct under Mayo.
“Things are different for sure.” Henry said. “They are in the building, already.”
He also said that the team will carry some things over from the Belichick era and combine them with some of the attributes of the Mayo regime for the best of both worlds.
“There’s a lot of good to build on here,” Henry said. “Some things we can carry over and some things we need to change.”
Henry has been with New England the past three seasons after signing with the club in 2021. He is coming off of a 2023 campaign in which he played 14 games and caught 42 passes for 419 yards and six touchdowns.
The 29-year-old is looking forward to better times with the Pats.
“I have a lot of pride in this organization, I wanted to be here,” Henry said “I love this area. I love this fan base. I love this organization. … I didn’t like how last year went, [and really] how the last two years have been. I wanted to be a part of that change and it will be cool to be a part of the ‘new era’ here in New England.”
We’ll see if the Mayo era gets off to a good start in 2024.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
