FOXBORO >> Down at Gillette Stadium, the days are growing longer and slower.

More playbook instruction, workouts and meetings during the Patriots’ voluntary offseason program.

As the coaches lay the foundation for the Pats’ new offense and defense, one veteran has noticed Josh McDaniels isn’t installing the same system he ran last in New England or even Las Vegas. In fact, he’s introducing new stuff for Drake Maye.

“(McDaniels)’s incorporated a couple things that Drake has liked,” Pats tight end Austin Hooper said Tuesday. “Not to get too deep into scheme or anything like that, but (it’s his) willingness to hear what the young gun has.”

While rewriting playbook chapters is an annual exercise for coaches, Maye’s skill set could unlock virtually anything McDaniels wants to install.

He’s fast enough for designed quarterback runs, averaging 7.8 yards per carry last season. He can make any throw to power a newly emphasized deep passing game with wide receivers Stefon Diggs and third-round rookie Kyle Williams, both of whom run with 4.4 speed. The Patriots could dial up more run-pass-options (RPOs), which Maye mastered at the college level and McDaniels hardly called during his prior stint with the team.

As for Maye, it turns out he was a major reason Hooper, McDaniels and head coach Mike Vrabel all chose to return to New England. And if the new playbook wrinkles help elevate his game, Maye could become an attraction to even more players and coaches next season.

“Playing with a young, talented guy like Drake,” said Hooper of re-signing this offseason, “I’d be lying if I didn’t say that wasn’t a big part of the equation.”

Based on what he’s already seen so far in the offseason program, Hooper expects a better, more comfortable quarterback in 2025.

“When you’re a top pick, coming into this league, you’re drinking out of a fire hose,” Hooper said. “So, being able to see him not as eyes wide, learning the business, learning new teammates, learning the pro style system to banking all of those reps. You can tell, just walking around, his shoulders are a little lower. Just more relaxed.”

Cardona cut

The Patriots’ roster is officially devoid of players who won Super Bowls with the franchise.

Long-time long snapper and 2024 captain Joe Cardona was released Tuesday, the Patriots announced. The move comes on the heels of Vrabel and co. selecting long snapper Julian Ashby in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday.

Cardona, a 2015 fifth-round pick out of Navy, played 160 regular-season games in 10 seasons and appeared in 13 playoff games with two Super Bowl championships. He finishes off his Patriots career with 20 tackles and one forced fumble. He was one of the highest-paid long snappers in the NFL. He was due a $1.255M salary, a $25,000 roster bonus and $68,000 in per-game roster bonuses this season.

The 33-year-old specialist is also a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

The Patriots released two other Super Bowl champions, center David Andrews and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, this offseason. They didn’t re-sign three players who had won Super Bowls in New England: quarterback Jacoby Brissett, cornerback Jonathan Jones and defensive end Deatrich Wise.

Ashby, who’s 6-1, 231 pounds, played collegiately at Furman and Vanderbilt. He recorded two tackles last season.

Chaisson check-in

Late in free agency, the Patriots signed ex-Jaguars and Raiders edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson to a one-year, $5 million.

A 2020 first-round pick, Chaisson busted out over four quiet years in Jacksonville, where he totaled just five sacks. Last seasons, he added five more sacks playing in a rotation for Las Vegas.

Still just 25, the Patriots are hoping Chaisson can replicate that success in what projects to be a third-down pass-rushing role. On Tuesday, Chaisson ascribed his strong finish last year to greater opportunity.

“Man, just getting the opportunity to produce and play,” said Chaisson, who had four sacks in his last six games. “I think that was just kind of the biggest thing that I was excited about and looking forward to being in that position, so I’m thankful. And being a part of a prestigious league that’s the NFL, you have to be able to show out and take advantage of those opportunities regardless of how the season is going.

“So, I knew that each opportunity I got, I had to take it for granted. I’m super thankful that I got a chance to do that in Vegas and now I’m in the perfect spot here.”

Chaisson, who stands at 6-foot-3 and 254 pounds, acknowledged he also benefitted rushing across from four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby. He added he is excited to team with new Patriots edge rusher Harold Landry, who signed a more lucrative three-year, $43.5 million deal in free agency.

“I think that was a tremendous boost,” Chaisson said. “Now, getting a chance to rush with Harold, who’s had multiple double-digit sack seasons in the NFL. That’s not something that is easy or you take for granted.”

Tough love

Seven years into his career, Hooper had mostly seen it all.

Then, he signed up to play for Vrabel.

In 2022, Hooper experienced what can be described as a football culture shock going from mild-mannered head coaches in Atlanta and Cleveland to the fiery and fierce Vrabel in Tennessee. The 30-year-old tight end recounted those days Tuesday during a break from the team’s offseason program, where he said Vrabel has been the same demanding coach he was with the Titans.

“It was different the first time. I’m not speaking outside the family here — (Vrabel’s) a very strong personality, a guy who’s played before, a guy who taught me a lot,” Hooper said. “And at first, it was a tougher transition.”

He continued: “It was my first time being around a head coach in that style. By the way, please don’t take that the wrong way. You should like your boss to demand a lot of you. So, it was the first time being with a defensive-style head coach.”

That season, Hooper caught 41 passes for 444 yards and two touchdowns. He spent the following season in Las Vegas playing for McDaniels until McDaniels was fired midseason. Now reunited with both of his former head coaches in New England, Hooper knows fully what to expect from them both while most of the roster plays catch up.

“The mentality and style which (Vrabel) demands from his employees. Like any good boss, he’s going to clearly define what his employees need to do,” Hooper said. “If you want to come along this journey, this is what’s expected. It’s something I carry with me.”