Patriots WR thinks Jerod Mayo will bring 'newfound energy' to New England

It sounds like wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is among the current Patriots players who are hyped about what head coach Jerod Mayo will offer the organization in his first year as Bill Belichick's replacement. 

"I think they can expect a newfound energy," Bourne said during an appearance on the NFL Network "NFL Total Access" program about Mayo's impact on the Patriots, as shared by Grant Gordon of the league's website. "A younger kind of vibe. No knock to Bill, but just something different, something new. It's just kinda how the league is going with coaches now. They're younger coaches, being more relatable."

Mayo turned 38 years old in February. To compare, Belichick turns 72 years old next month. 

Mayo played for New England from 2008 through the 2015 season and originally joined Belichick's staff as inside linebackers coach in 2019. As far back as last winter, it was thought that Patriots owner Robert Kraft viewed Mayo "as the team’s coach-in-waiting," he ultimately passed on proven options such as former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.

Vrabel earned three Super Bowl rings playing for the Patriots from 2001 through 2008.

"The fans are going to get a different feel, but also some of the same things that they've seen," Bourne added about Mayo. "Jerod played for Bill, he's been around. He knows his system, but he's also young and he also can relate to younger guys I think a little bit better than Bill. I think it's gonna be a newfound energy, new pulse."

Bourne originally signed with the Patriots in March 2021, suffered a torn ACL this past October and is an impending free agent. The 28-year-old believes he's on track to play in Week 1 this coming September and made it known during the show segment he'd like to continue featuring for New England under Mayo.

"It's something that has helped me in my career, especially in my life as a man," Bourne said about his three-season Patriots tenure. "Belichick, obviously you bring him up, he's somebody that helped me. Obviously, you know it's a new coach and new situation, but the building itself, the organization itself, what they stand for has helped me grow. So, it's someplace that they hold a special place in my heart, so I would love to go back."

Whether Mayo and de facto Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf feel the same way about Bourne will be seen when free agency officially begins at the start of the new league year on Wednesday.