New England Patriots kicker Nick Folk, right, celebrates a game-winning field goal with teammates over Arizona during the 2020 season. (AP photo)

Behind Nick Folk in his Dallas area home was a painting of a cactus in a desert.

It was done by his brother, who did some paintings, the kicker said, of some of Folk’s “special places.”

“He only made art for me, he just did it for fun,” Folk said during a media zoom call on Thursday, also displaying a painting of the Hollywood sign.

Can a painting of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough be far behind? New England is obviously one of Folk’s favorite places, as the 37-year-old recently signed a two-year deal to remain a Patriot. It was basically the only team Folk and his agent talked to.

“We kind of new we wanted to go back, we kind of made sure we exhausted all options,” Folk said. “My kids were super excited, ready to come back up to the northeast and watch us win some more.”

Folk, who began his career as a sixth round draft choice with the Cowboys, then moved on to the Jets and then Tampa before arriving in New England in 2019. He seems to have saved his best for last, kicking as well as he ever has as he enters the 2022 season with 55 straight field goals under 50 yards, needing one more to tie Tennessee’s Ryan Succop’s record of 56.

Last season he had a career high 36 field goals and finished tied for first in the NFL with 150 points.

What’s clicked?

“I don’t know,” Folk said. “A lot of guys kind of get better as they get older, they figure some things out.

Another big part is having the faith from your coaching staff that you’re going to do what you need to do. It’s all kind of culminated in New England.”

It may be a case of getting wiser as he gets older.

“You just kind of understand the game, the flow, your misses,” Folk said. “You understand what exactly happened on that kick.

That high ball in New England isnt’t the best kick you’ve got to have. … You’ve got different conditions all the time, you kind of recall those conditions, those old kicks, use those as confidence builders.”

Folk said returning to New England brings some comfort.

“Comfort in locker room, the special teams unit, Jake (holder Bailey) and Joe (long snapper Cardona),” Folk said, “not a rotation through the holder and the snapper, can build some unison there. It was a factor in staying in New England.

“The value the organization puts on special teams is really big. The Patriots do, they really value that part of the game.”

Folk really values his experiences, keeps detailed notes and even a journal. He’ll have the IT staff pull up clips from former kicks, etc. So there’s some thought put into it.

“I could go back to those notes,” he said, “and understand what I did, and what I needed to get better at.”

He never thought he’d end up staying in New England when he first arrived during the 2019 season.

“To be honest, no, ” he said. “My goal was to finish that year and see what would happen. … Most guys in the NFL don’t get to choose when they end their career, it’s kind of chosen for them.”

Folk said he’s enjoyed learning things from Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who has said in the past he’s even learned things from his kicker when they’ve chatted during breaks in practice.

“I’ve learened a ton in my short time here that I couldn’t have imagined that I’d have learned already,” Folk said.

Folk was asked why New England, because wouldn’t it be more comfortable kicking in a dome or warm weather site?

“Gillette is tough place to kick, I understand that,” he said.

But he likes that better.

“In my own kind of sick mind I do, it’s kind of fun, there’s always something new.

Sometimes in a dome you can get lulled to sleep a little bit, kind of lose focus. I enjoy being outside, having that little bit of extra element that needs to be thought about. I enjoy it in my own weird way.”

And now Folk said he will take things day-by-day.

“One day at a time, one kick at a time, and continue to help this team win as many games as we can,” he said.

At his new favorite place.

KRAFT AIDS PROVIDENCE

Patriots owner Robert Kraft gave the Providence College men’s basketball team a big assist before their Sweet 16 game last night vs. top-seeded Kansas at Chicago’s United Center.

Kraft sent his team plane to take Friars fans as well as the PC staff.

“It’s New England teams supporting New England teams,” Providence coach Ed Cooley told ESPN.

BUTLER SIGNING OFFICIAL

The Patriots officially announced the signing of defensive back Malcolm Butler. The team did not disclose terms but it’s believed to be a two-year, $9 million deal.