When the New England Patriots will open their regular season on Sept. 8 in Cincinnati, things will look much different than the last time they departed a snowy Gillette Stadium field in January.
A monumental offseason saw the franchise move on from long-time head coach Bill Belichick before quickly hiring Jerod Mayo as his successor. That was just the start, as New England’s remodeled front office used the No. 3 overall pick to draft what they hope is the next future of the franchise in quarterback Drake Maye.
Whether Maye is under center to begin the year or not, New England’s new-look squad will make their first appearance on the road against the Bengals.