Jerod Mayo's Patriots debut will hinge on a dependable defense and mystery box offense

The first year of the post-Bill Belichick era in New England will be strange. Not just because of the fact a surefire Hall of Famer won’t be patrolling the Patriots’ sideline after more than two decades.

Jerod Mayo, a seed fallen into the fallow turf of Belichick’s coaching tree, takes over with one of the NFL’s least proven offenses. He’ll turn to either a rookie or a journeyman at quarterback as training camp sorts the difference between Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett. His veteran wide...