Expectations for the New England Patriots have grown throughout the offseason, and it’s not hard to detect why. The franchise has experienced an immediate culture shift under head coach Mike Vrabel, and the anticipation for quarterback Drake Maye’s first full season as the starter has been palpable in Foxboro and beyond.
The preseason chatter around the team has centered on the coach, quarterback, and offense as a whole. From the return of Josh McDaniels as coordinator and play caller, to the addition of a true No. 1 wide receiver in Stefon Diggs, to key rookie draft picks like LT Will Campbell, RB TreVeyon Henderson, WR Kyle Williams, and LG Jared Wilson, the Patriots suddenly feel like a team that should be taken seriously in the AFC pecking order.