It has been over a year since Bill Belichick left New England but the Patriots are still trying to find their footing without him. The first season in the post-Belichick era was a complete disaster on all fronts, including the locker room and the on-field results. Perhaps this was to be expected following a 24-year reign of the greatest head coach in NFL history.
While the Patriots are embarking on a new journey with Mike Vrabel at the helm, Belichick's impact is still being felt in Foxborough. And it's not only because Vrabel re-hired Josh McDaniels as his new offensive coordinator.
Talking to the Green Light podcast, Patriots QB Drake Maye revealed how the team still follows in Belichick's footsteps.
On @greenlight, Drake Maye said current Patriots players are “for sure” still feeling Bill Belichick’s influence on a daily basis at Gillette Stadium.
— Chris Mason (@ByChrisMason) February 20, 2025
Here's how: https://t.co/Hl1I6TWa3M
Drake Maye Reveals Bill Belichick's Influence on the Patriots
In the interview, Maye said that he talked to Vrabel and McDaniels multiple times since their hiring and added that he was looking forward to being coached by them. Since Jerod Mayo was also a Belichick student like Vrabel and McDaniels, the talented quarterback said that they have been doing things "the Patriot Way".
"In season out of season, it doesn’t matter. We’re running sprints. We’re running the hills. I think that’s still kind of the Patriot Way. The hard work works: I think that is what his staple was, what he left on the organization. I think a lot of coaches, especially because we stayed inside of the Patriots tree as you’d call it coaching-wise, we still embrace that."Drake Maye
The phrase "the Patriot Way" has long been coined by Boston sports media, even though Belichick or Tom Brady never really used the term. It generally refers to the Patriots playing the right way, working hard for each other, and doing their job. Like Maye explains, this includes working as hard in the offseason as you would during the season.
Organizations need continuity and culture. The Patriots certainly have that. Retaining the know-how of Belichick through former players and coaches he worked closely with is a smart idea. Let's hope it produces results on the field this time around.