Tom Brady casts a large shadow over the Patriots’ season-opening matchup with the Eagles

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady left an imprint on the New England Patriots that hasn’t pale.

Three-plus years after his departure, Brady’s jersey continues to be offered contained in the stadium and dots its seats on sport days. Photographs of each his iconic and mundane moments in a Patriots uniform additionally proceed to embellish varied areas of the crew’s observe amenities.

New England operating again Rhamondre Stevenson chuckled this week when requested what number of photographs of Brady he noticed throughout a brief stroll from the locker room to a information convention.

“I in all probability walked previous him 5 occasions,” Stevenson stated.

Brady way back cemented his place because the Patriots’ favourite son, even earlier than he received the final of his six Tremendous Bowl rings with the crew after the 2018 season. Now retired, he’ll return to be honored for his legacy on Sunday when New England opens the season towards Philadelphia.

“He actually deserves it,” Patriots coach Invoice Belichick stated.

Contemplating New England’s fortunes since Brady left to signal with Tampa Bay, he’s actually been missed. The Patriots have but to choose a long-term successor.

Cam Newton’s try to comply with the long run Corridor of Famer ended with a 7-9 document in 2020 and the crew lacking the postseason for the primary time in additional than a decade.

Newton was crushed out the next season by then-rookie Mac Jones, who led New England again to postseason and earned a Professional Bowl nod in 2021. However that momentum cratered final season because the Patriots went 8-9. Jones regressed and the offense ranked within the backside half of the NFL.

Belichick introduced again former assistant Invoice O’Brien as offensive coordinator in an effort to revamp the Patriots’ assault.

For his half, Jones believes Brady’s legacy has helped, not hindered, his progress.

“I believe Tom Brady’s the best quarterback to ever play within the NFL. So, to comply with up on him, it’s simply making an attempt to chase the usual that he set, every single day,” Jones stated. “Truthfully, we’re positively two totally different gamers, and that’s the one recommendation I’d have. Simply proceed to develop and be your self, proper? That’s all you are able to do, is put your greatest foot ahead and compete. However yeah, it’s positively massive footwear to fill.”

The Eagles enter Week 1 recent off an NFC championship and slender Tremendous Bowl loss to Kansas Metropolis. Philadelphia could be very a lot safe at quarterback, having signed Jones’ former Alabama teammate Jalen Hurts to a long-term deal this offseason.

Whereas Hurts has loved success that up to now has eluded Jones, Hurts believes Jones has higher soccer forward of him. This would be the first assembly between the 2 Crimson Tide QBs.

“Mac has all the time been an excellent competitor,” Hurts stated. “He had a starvation for the sport and simply studying. All the time difficult himself. I’m wanting ahead to him doing massive issues this 12 months.”

Wished man

Hurts has stated he was certain on the night time of the 2020 draft he was sure for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones stated final month his crew would have drafted Hurts had he nonetheless been out there. And sure, there have been hints that the Patriots had been fascinated by drafting Hurts. It looks like all types of groups declare now they needed Hurts three years in the past.

The MVP runner-up, who went 53rd general, has observed.

“It looks like there lots of people that might have taken me if I used to be there,” he stated.

Hurts threw for 3,701 yards with 22 touchdowns and ran for 760 yards and 13 scores whereas he led the Eagles to the Tremendous Bowl final season. In April, the Eagles rewarded Hurts with a $255 million, five-year contract extension.

“His mindset has not modified when it comes to how he assaults each single day, the aim that he has, the fervour that he performs with, and his need for changing into the perfect participant he can probably be,” Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson stated.

Kicking it

The Patriots may have two new faces dealing with kicking duties.

Longtime punter Jake Bailey missed the ultimate eight video games of final season with a again damage and was launched in March.

New England used a fourth-round draft choose on Maryland kicker Chad Ryland and sixth-round choose on Michigan State punter Bryce Baringer.

Baringer stood out all through the spring and coaching camp and Ryland beat out Nick Folks, who was traded to Tennessee.

Welcome again, Matt

Sunday will even mark the return of Philadelphia assistant Matt Patricia to the sideline in Foxborough.

Patricia spent most of his 16 seasons with New England on the defensive aspect of the ball, together with six as defensive coordinator from 2012-17. He was part of 5 Patriots Tremendous Bowl appearances and three championships.

After his three-year stint as Detroit’s head coach ended, he returned to New England in 2021 as a senior advisor. He then took over the reins of the offense final season, together with play calling duties.

However the unit struggled underneath his course, lagging within the backside half of the NFL in a number of classes, together with final in crimson zone effectivity.

He was employed by Philadelphia as a senior defensive assistant in April.

AP Sports activities Author Dan Gelston in Philadelphia contributed to this report.