NFL Schedule 2024 Rumors: Patriots Expect Road Game for Mayo's HC Debut in Week 1

The New England Patriots and first-year head coach Jerod Mayo are operating under the belief they'll open the 2024 NFL season on the road, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.

New England has grown accustomed to kicking off a new campaign at Gillette Stadium. Only once in the previous seven years did the Patriots play away from home in Week 1.

This could provide an early litmus test in more ways than one.

Mayo cautioned Saturday that first-round draft pick Drake Maye "has a lot to work on" but struck an optimistic tone overall about the quarterback's development.

"I have no doubt that he will put the time in," the coach told reporters. "He was here all night trying to get on the same page as everyone else."

Until Mayo decides otherwise, it's possible that Maye is the starting quarterback in Week 1, so a road matchup could provide a stiff challenge right out of the gate.

This would be an opportunity for ownership to demonstrate it has addressed some of the concerns expressed in the NFL Players Association's annual report card as well. The Patriots received a "D" grade in team travel and ranked 24th in the league.

Team owner Robert Kraft pledged to remedy the most glaring problems highlighted in the survey. Perhaps sorting out the logistics around the team's trips away from Foxborough, Massachusetts, was one of the priorities.