This year's Patriots offseason award winners will have some added perks under new head coach Jerod Mayo, some of which have already been on display at this summer's training camp.
Winners were selected for demonstrating consistency, a positive attitude, showing improvement and motivating others this spring, and the list features a balanced cross-section of Patriot veterans and younger players, along with some free-agent newcomers.
In addition to contributing to the daily practice music playlist, the offseason award winners will get a golf cart ride to and from the training camp fields, one custom meal cooked by the team chef and their photos displayed inside the team facilities.
A core of established Patriots captains leads the way, with David Andrews (seven-time captain), Ja'Whaun Bentley (three-time captain), Deatrich Wise Jr. (two-time captain) and Hunter Henry (2023 captain) all earning offseason nods. They represent three of the longest-tenured Patriots players on the roster and they will be counted on heavily this season to provide experienced leadership. The vets got an early jump on that this spring with their notable dedication.
Jacoby Brissett also joins the group, as the veteran quarterback wasted no time reassimilating himself into the team that originally drafted him in 2016. Brissett's offseason included organizing a team throwing and bonding session in Florida with a group of teammates before the start of training camp.
"I thought it was great, not only just from the football aspect, but just being around the guys, and being able to hang out with each other outside of Boston and Foxborough and away from the facility," Brissett said. "We had a great time. A lot of guys came and showed up. Just getting everybody back in the swing of, 'This is what we call this, this is what we're expecting this,' and just some basic fundamentals of our offense."
Brissett isn't the only new Patriot to jump headfirst into the program after signing in New England this offseason, with fellow veterans Nick Leverett and K.J. Osborn also joining the list of award winners. Leverett arrived from Tampa with 10 career starts under his belt, while Osborn had 158 catches and 15 touchdowns over the last three seasons with the Vikings.
Osborn was also one of the receivers to join Brissett's Florida session, along with second-year receiver DeMario Douglas, who himself earned an offseason award for his participation. Douglas had 49 catches for 561 yards as a rookie and was lauded for his work in preparation for Year 2.
Two of Douglas' fellow second-year teammates on the defensive side of the ball also earned offseason honors - Christian Gonzalez and Keion White. Gonzalez, who won AFC Defensive Rookie of the Month last year before going down with an injury in Week 4, and White, who played in 16 games with four starts, have both been heavily involved on defense in the early days of training camp as they look to make their "second-year jump."
The defense is also represented by safety Jabrill Peppers and linebacker Raekwon McMillan. Peppers is an emerging leader and tone-setter with a fresh contract extension and though McMillan has been limited to just 16 games in three seasons with the Patriots, he continues to earn the respect of his coaches and teammates behind the scenes.
Finally, the special teams lost a legendary captain in Matthew Slater as a player last offseason, but third-year standout Brenden Schooler was another consistent worker this offseason as someone who will try to help offset the major void Slater left behind.
Full List of 2024 Patriots Offseason Award Winners
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