Yes, it’s here already. The rookies have been at the New England Patriots training camp since the weekend, veterans report today and the first practice is Wednesday.

Football is officially back.

Of course, this will be a completely different training camp than any of us have seen in a long time – the first camp since 1999 not being run by Bill Belichick, as he is out of coaching for at least this year after he and Patriots owner Robert Kraft parted ways days after the 2023 season.

Now it’s in the hands of first-year head coach Jerod Mayo. We’re sure you have lots of questions, so let’s try to answer 10 questions:

WHAT’S THE FIRST THING WE’LL NOTICE AT CAMP WITH MAYO IN CHARGE?

Well, for one, a schedule that is mapped out throughout, subject to change, of course. The Patriots released a public practice schedule that goes through – ready – August 13. The first is Wednesday at 11 a.m., and most are, with gates opening at 10. The days with no public pracitce so far are July 27,July 31, August 4, and August 7-11. Interesting.

WHAT WILL BE THE ONE PLAYER EVERYONE WILL WANT TO SEE?

That’s easy, it will be No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft, quarterback Drake Maye. You can bet all eyes will be on the rookie, to see exactly what plans the Patriots have for him in terms of playing time.

WHAT VETERAN MAY NOT MAKE IT OUT OF CAMP?

Keep an eye on wide receiver JuJu Smith Schuster. He’s got a bad knee, was a bust during the regular season after Belichick signed him to a deal last year, and moves like that are some of the reasons Belichick is on Nantucket these days instead of at Gillette.

WHAT VETERAN COULD BE A SURPRISE IMPROVEMENT?

Still on receivers, dare we say Tyquan Thornton? Speed to burn, and he looked good throughout the spring. But Route 1 is littered with spring Patriot gems that turned to dust once the lights came on. This may be one of those.

WILL THERE BE ANY HOLDOUTS, ETC.?

Keep an eye on linebacker/pass rusher Matthew Judon, who is in the last year of his contract and wants a new deal. There have been talks, but no agreement as of this writing. It’s a tough call depending on the money, as Judon is set to make $6.5 million this season, but the team has extended a lot of what it believes will be its core group going forward. He was a good signing back in the free agent frenzy of March of 2021, but has been either hurt or hits a wall late in the season that may influence whether the Patriots extend him. If they don’t, we’ll see how he responds.

WHAT PROMINENT NAME LIKELY WON’T BE AROUND AT THE START OF CAMP?

That would have to be receiver Kendrick Bourne, as he can’t be fully recovered yet from a torn ACL suffered in the second half of last season. Bourne certainly has been outspoken in the past but if he’s healthy he should strike up a good rapport with either Maye or Brissett. But we’d expect him to begin on the PUP list.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO BAILEY ZAPPE?

It certainly doesn’t seem like Zappe would be comfortable being the third string QB, inactive as the emergency third QB. But that might be Maye the first few weeks of the season. The thing is, the only other QB is another rookie, Joe Milton III, who has practice squad written all over him as a sixth rounder but boy does he have an arm. A lot will be determined during camp. If Maye struggles, Zappe stays as the veteran backup. Best scenario is for Zappe to look solid in camp so the Patriots can possibly deal him.

WHERE ARE THE PATRIOTS WEAKEST IN CAMP?

Offensive line, specifically left tackle. Keep an eye on how this all develops, and the guess here is the Patriots will grab another veteran when camp cuts are all done around the league.

BESIDES MAYE, WHAT OTHER ROOKIE WILL WE ALL BE WATCHING?

For us fourth round pick Javon Baker out of Central Florida to see if we can call him Javon Baker The Touchdown Maker. He certainly had a lot to say when he was drafted, including telling us to bring the popcorn. OK, rookie, time to walk the walk.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD FANS KNOW ABOUT CAMP?

First, you can bring your own food/beverages to camp but there is a restricted list so check the Patriots web site first. And there are concessions available. Parking – again, double check this – is at the P6 entrance for fans coming from the north, P8 for fans from the south. Note that there is no tailgaiting allowed.

And with that, we’ll see you at camp.

Tom King may be reached at X @Telegraph_TomK, or via email at tking@nashuatelegraph.com