You’re lives are about to change, as they do this time every year.

Yes, New England Patriots fans, your time has arrived:

Training Camp begins this coming week.

Football is officially back, from now through, well, next February. Whether the Patriots are playing that late certainly is a longshot.

But the NFL road is littered with teams that weren’t expected to do well based on their previous year’s futility defying the odds, right?

This Patriots team at the moment has a different feel. So here are 10 questions you may have with our answers as we prepare for the first day of practices this Wednesday, July 23. Consider this your AI Overview of camp, human generated:

WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE FIRST FEW PRACTICES?

The first scheduled workout is Wednesday at 10:15 a.m.at the fields behind Gillette Stadium, and as usual, fans are admitted free and can sit in the bleachers that go down the sideline.

And, for a week after, they will go Thursday at 10:15, Friday at 10 a.m., Saturday July 26 at 10:15, off Sunday the 27th, 10:30 the 28th, 10:15 July 29-30, 10 a.m.on Thursday the 31st, but on Saturday, Aug. 1 is the annual season ticket holders practice inside Gillette at 6 p.m. But remember, check with the team’s website as everything is subject to change.

WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL THIS CAMP BE COMPARED TO LAST YEAR’S?

Contrary to his somewhat soft image, Jerod Mayo ran a tough, physical training camp a year ago. But what won’t take place this camp, as we see it, will be any of the contract distractions (see Matthew Judon) as well as the quarterback controversy as to who starts the season and who makes the decision. All decisions are made by Vrabel and Drake Maye, barring injury, is your QB.

WHAT ROOKIE MAY BE A SURPRISE AND MAKE THE TEAM?

Well right now the leader in the clubhouse is undrafted wide receiver Efton Chism III, from Eastern Washington. He was the talk of OTAs with his route running and pass catching ability. Let’s wait and see when they put the pads on, folks – which, again, won’t be every practice.

WHAT RECEIVER(S) MAY NOT MAKE IT OUT OF CAMP?

We say it’s going to be veteran Kendrick Bourne. We hope it isn’t Kayshon Boutte, as the now third-year receiver made some big catches and clearly had the confidence of Maye. He has a $7.7 million cap hit, and you have to figure that puts a target on him despite his veteran status. DeMario Douglas, third round pick Kyle Williams, veteran free agent Mack Hollins, and one of the two failed picks from a year ago, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker will be included. If both stick, it’s because they out-performed someone else.

WHICH DRAFTED ROOKIE WILL BE UNDER INTENSE SCRUTINY?

That’s easy, it’s your favorite short-armed lineman, first round pick Will Campbell, right? The hope is those short arms (really people?) won’t hinder him at left tackle and he’ll be at that position the next few years. That’s the hope. We’ll see what the reality is. Word was he had a tough OTA start but then picked things up.

WHAT VETERAN COULD BE THE CLOSEST THING TO A DISTRACTION?

That’s easy, the Pink Candy Man, Stefon Diggs, as he will be under the microscope from the start because he was not placed on PUP with his knee, meaning he’s made a remarkable recovery from ACL surgery and should practice right away. We like Diggs, he’s confident, sense of humor, and a good receiver when healthy.

WILL DRAKE MAYE TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

He says all the right things, and does all the right things. Many make big deals out of practice performances, interceptions, overthrows, etc. When the lights come on is what really matters. Don’t expect Maye to play a ton in the very brief preseason, obviously. But a lot on his progress likely involves his ability to adjust to and grasp offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offense.

WILL THE PATRIOTS HAVE JOINT PRACTICES WITH ANYONE?

Yes, and one of those will be in Foxborough with the Washington Commanders on Aug. 6, before they both open up their preseason slates at Gillette on Friday, Aug. 8. Then the Patriots will have joint practices on the road with the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 13-14 before their game on Saturday afternoon (1 p.m.) at the Vikings. A rare day preseason game for New England.

FYI the Commanders game is the lone home preseason game.

BESIDES RECEIVER, WHERE IS THERE A LOT OF POSITION COMPETITION IN CAMP?

If you feel that Rhamondre Stevenson – he has trimmed down considerably — is the top running back, there could be a battle for the No. 2 spot between veteran Antonio Gibson and rookie third round pick TreVeyon Henderson. Gibson in a lot of ways was better than Stevenson last year. And that leads us to the next question…

WHAT ROOKIE WILL THE FANS FALL IN LOVE WITH?

We think it will be Henderson, who on paper gives the Patriots a threat to go the distance anytime he touches the ball. We say he will make at least one big play in a preseason game, and wow the fans in camp.

But really, what do we know? See you at Camp, and don’t forget the sunscreen.

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