The New England Patriots on Monday announced their six team captains for the 2024 season. The group, voted on by players, includes three first-timers and one newcomer.
Jerod Mayo, who said he preferred a smaller group of captains, will also follow through on his promise to allow players to wear “C” patches, something Bill Belichick forbade.
Let’s go over some initial thoughts on all six Patriots captains.
Patriots Reveal Six Team Captains Voted by Players
(Note: Hunter Henry is the only 2023 captain who’s still on the roster but wasn’t voted captain for this season.)
QB Jacoby Brissett (First Time)
As the top quarterback on the depth chart, Brissett was an obvious choice. He’s the leader of the offense and has a ton of experience.
But there’s more to it than that. Brissett was an exemplary leader all summer despite participating in a quarterback competition. He constantly encouraged Maye and fellow rookie QB Joe Milton III and was one the more vocal players during practices.
Brissett deserves to be a capatain.
That said, it would be somewhat awkward if Brissett eventually is benched for Maye but still asked to fulfill his captaincy duties. But we’ll cross that bridge if it’s ever built.
Jerod Mayo announces Andrews, Bentley, Brissett, Cardona, Peppers and Wise Jr. as 2024 Patriots captains.
More from @MikeDussault19: https://t.co/DwmYOnPlg8 pic.twitter.com/nohpbGRjv9
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 2, 2024
C David Andrews (Eighth time)
If Patriots players were asked to vote for a No. 1 captain, Andrews likely would’ve been the choice. He’s the consummate pro, a model Patriot, and one of the best centers in the NFL.
Despite pondering retirement during the offseason, Andrews is back for another campaign, and neither his on-field performance nor off-field leadership has dropped off.
LS Joe Cardona (First Time)
Tied with Andrews as the longest-tenured Patriot (10 seasons), Cardona will be the Patriots’ first special teams captain not named Matthew Slater in 13 years.
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Cardona was a logical choice, although it was fair to wonder whether special teams ace Brenden Schooler would get the nod.
In the end, Patriots players went with an established veteran over a player entering his third season.
S Jabrill Peppers (First Time)
Peppers essentially replaced Henry, who was voted captain in 2023 for the first time in his career.
Peppers is an emotional, fiery leader in the locker room and on gamedays. He also is one of New England’s best practice players and fulfills his media obligations like a true professional.
Jabrill Peppers shares this thoughts on the upcoming season, the Bengals and being named captain. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/VjNfeZtpSk
— New England Football Journal ® 🏈 (@newftbj) September 2, 2024
If nothing else, Peppers certainly will be a more overtly emotional captain than Henry, who led by example.
LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (Fourth Time)
Like Peppers, Bentley is a physical tone-setter on defense. He also wears the green dot as the primary play-caller for the front seven.
Bentley isn’t nearly as active of a trash-talker as Peppers, but he regularly delivers sideline or locker-room speeches when the Patriots are struggling.
DL Deatrich Wise Jr. (Third Time)
The 30-year-old Wise is entering his eighth season with the Patriots and third consecutive campaign as a captain.
Also not much of a trash talker, Wise leads by example with professionalism, on-field consistency, and accountability during media availabilities.
Wise is the first person in the building and the last person out — and that’s not a cliche. He’s among the hardest workers on the roster and is a deserving captain.