BOSTON -- In the latter stages of the Bill Belichick era, rookies had to really earn their jersey numbers. The old-school head coach used to assign numbers in the 50s and 60s, in order of when they were drafted or signed, through the spring and the summer, before doling out real numbers for the preseason opener.
Yet part of the new era under Jerod Mayo is the issuing of jersey numbers right off the bat. And on Friday, the Patriots announced jersey numbers for their rookie draft class.
Drake Maye is sticking with No.