A few Patriots supporters gathered outside Gillette Stadium on Friday, eager to witness the team’s latest attempt to secure its next quarterback star.
Drake Maye, picked third overall by New England in Thursday’s NFL draft, was set to chat with reporters and pose for pictures on the field.
Fans were already donning Maye’s Patriots jerseys, bearing the No. 10 he wore during his college years at North Carolina. Interestingly, that number was also worn by former Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, traded earlier this offseason.
Some fans improvised by covering Jones’ name on their old jerseys with tape and writing in Maye’s name instead.
This DIY solution symbolized the hopefulness of New England’s fanbase, longing for stability after a stretch of 29-38 since Tom Brady’s departure.
Maye expressed his excitement about joining a winning organization and getting started. The true impact of this move remains to be seen.
Over three days, New England made straightforward picks, aiming to address various team needs after finishing 4-13 under longtime coach Bill Belichick’s tenure.
With Director of Scouting Eliot Wolf now leading, the team emphasized starting to rebuild by filling the starting quarterback void and strengthening the overall offense, despite considering trade offers for the third pick.
