ESPN: Jerod Mayo Opens Patriots Rookie Camp to Reporters After Belichick Denied Entry

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo is setting a new tone for the organization in more ways than one.

ESPN's Mike Reiss reported Sunday the Pats will open their doors to the media when rookie minicamp gets underway May 11. That's a departure from Bill Belichick's policy toward the media for the annual workouts.

Few, if any, NFL coaches were more tight-lipped than Belichick and that extended to the Patriots franchise for the most part. When it came to keeping rookie minicamp off limits to reporters, the rationale may lie in comments he made during training camp in July 2017. He lamented how the media and fans can draw conclusions from early practices that aren't representative — good or bad — of a player's ability.

"You know, you guys are asking a lot of questions about what have we seen from 'this' guy, what are we seeing from 'that' guy. We've yet to put on pads, alright?" he told reporters. "I understand that this is a pretty talented group of evaluators in this room, but in all honesty our evaluations come more in training camp when we actually practice and we can fully execute the techniques and the plays that we're trying to do."

It's safe to assume that's going to happen with No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye as the Patriots' rookie minicamp unfolds.

Bleacher Report NFL scout Derrik Klassen called Maye a "supremely talented passer" who possesses all of the tools to become an elite QB in the NFL. He also noted the areas in which the former North Carolina star needs to grow and thus could have a difficult transition early on.

If Maye already starts turning heads in minicamp, then it's bound to have fans wondering whether he can beat out Jacoby Brissett for the starting job.