Patriots Fans Are Going to Hate Drake Maye's Number Choice

The 2024 NFL Draft is over, the rookie minicamp is done, and fans are now looking ahead to the training camp and preseason before next season starts. For New England Patriots fans, the most exciting part of next season involves taking a look at their new rookie class, spearheaded by their third-overall pick Drake Maye.

As of now, it's not clear whether Maye will be the starter in Week 1. He has an uphill battle for that job against veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett. It is safe to say, however, that he will get the starting nod at some point in the season.

While Pats fans are counting down the days before they see Maye in a New England uniform, his jersey number will give them nightmares. According to the official social media account of the Patriots, Drake Maye will take over No. 10, the number worn by Mac Jones in his Patriots stint.

Drake Maye's Jersey Number Brings Back Bad Memories for Pats Fans

This obviously brings back bad memories for Patriots fans. After being the 15th-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Mac Jones disappointed wearing the No. 10 jersey in Foxborough before being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason.

This doesn't mean, however, that Maye will have the same fate as Mac Jones. Maye deciding to stick with the number he wore in college is an opportunity for the former North Carolina star to build his own legacy with that jersey number.

This also signals a shift from the Bill Belichick era. The legendary head coach used to assign jersey numbers in the 50s and 60s during his tenure, making the rookies "earn" their numbers. Jerod Mayo, however, seems to be more open and generous with his young players.

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