Ah, there’s nothing like the first day of school. Make that the New England Patriots School.

Camp Mayo officially opened on Wednesday.We were all looking for change now that there was a new principal appointed; the former principal, Bill Belichick, was ushered peacefully out the door and is reportedly enjoying hanging around cheerleaders on Nantucket.

There were a lot of bells and whistles behind Gillette Stadium to get things started, with a loud public address introduction, actually drowning out a lot of Jerod Mayo’s outdoor press conference. But we did get to hear Mayo tell us how long practice would be – 90 minutes (old school coaches, this is your cue to cringe). Fans – no, the stands were not completely full, unlike the old days — got to see the new hope, rookie QB Drake Maye, throw a deep dime to Jalen Reagor in the corner of the far end zone, Reagor coming up with a one-handed grab to the roar of the crowd.

The loudest noise of the day, though, was when a helicopter landed in the area on the other side of the wall of the practice field and just kept things running until it took off a half hour later. Oh yes, this was a busy place.

Just a few things that didn’t feel like a typical Patriots first day of camp – including the cool, cloudy, and sometimes damp conditions. But you want change? How about a Patriot talking about his contract. We got that right near the end of player interviews when pass rusher Matt Judon, in negotiations for at the very least a bump from what he’s due ($6.5 million plus $1 million in per-game roster bonuses) in the final year of the four-year, $52 million he signed four years ago (likely) and preferably a multi-year extension (not likely), chat about his deal. He, like fellow last-year-of-deal defensive lineman Davon Godchaux, practiced yesterday rather than opt for the new rage of the NFL, the “hold-in” – which is what Judon did for a portion of last year’s camp.

“I haven’t played football in so long,” Judon, injured midway through last season, said. “It was important for me to get back out here with the guys. … Just start, getting on the right foot.

“It’s tough going into the last year of a deal. You look at everybody around the league, and in the building, getting deals done and worked out, and it’s tough to not be jealous or envious … I’m happy for those guys. As much as everybody wants to see me stay around here for a long time, it’s really not up to me.”

This is a tough one. Judon, when healthy, is probably one of the top 10 pass rushers in the league and can make a huge difference. But at age 32, it’s unlikely he’d get something long-term.

“I signed the deal, my signature’s on it so I got to play on it,” he said as the rain intensified. “Would I lke to? No. Do I think that’s my value? No. But again, that’s not up to me.”

Judon has hit a couple of “like” buttons on social media concerning trades and what-not – this social media junk is out of control in pro sports, especially the NFL – but was adamant he doesn’t want to be traded.

“It it was me, I’d like to stay here forever,” he said. “Honestly, I’m lazy and I don’t want to move again (drawing chuckles). But it’s the locker room, bro. … I don’t think nobody wants to be traded, honestly. I don’t run my Twitter. … If I’m traded, that’s not up to me.”

So Judon and Godchaux being out there set the tone; you can bet the rookies and younger players noticed. You can also be Mayo probably talked with both.

“It obviously shows their professionalism,” Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise, Jr. said. “They put the ‘we ‘ before ‘me’ attitude, some great guys, grinding, and that means answering questions, sharing knowledge, both of them are doing a competitive job so far.”

Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye drew a crowd of autograph seekers and media after the first day of practice Wednesday at New England Patriots training camp behind Gillette Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

The Patriots can’t pay Judon that much. The idea is to get younger, not tie up salary years ahead in an older player. So it’s not all puffy and fluffy in Camp Mayo, but it seems he has a grip on things.

“It’s an exciting day, at least for me, personally,” Mayo said just before practice. “I know it’s exciting for the guys in the locker room as well to get back on the field and play real football.”

“The energy is high, the confidence is high,” Wise said.

But it’s not the same as the good ol’ days, right? The fans weren’t exactly loud, although it was fun to see Maye scramble to sign autographs to kids yelling “Drake! Drake!” after practice.

School has begun. What kind of year it’ll be, well, we’ll see. Matthew Judon is wondering the same thing.

Tom King can be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or on twitter @Telegraph _TomK.