For the first time in 24 seasons, the Patriots’ organizational objective is not to win.

It’s to re-establish culture. Develop young players. Refine their new systems and processes.

Or, in another word, rebuild.

New head coach Jerod Mayo and personnel chief Eliot Wolf have both been public about their long-term goals for the franchise, which will require short-term sacrifice. The Matthew Judon trade was one example. Playing rookies over capable veterans will soon be another.

Competitive pain is inevitable for the Patriots. They own the worst Super Bowl odds of any team this season, not for one reason, but many. So how does a region accustomed to winning and championships press on, loss after loss?

Here is the Herald’s fan guide to enjoying Year 1 of an NFL rebuild:

1. Follow the youngsters

Drake Maye is the obvious starting point here.

The quarterback. The face and future of the franchise. Atlas, as it were, for all New England’s football hopes and dreams.

But if all you’re watching is Maye, you’ll miss the promising young talent around him. Keep an eye on Christian Gonzalez, who has all the makings of a true No. 1 corner. Or snarling second-year defensive lineman Keion White, who could bench press an entire offensive line. More than any other players, the Patriots defense will go as they go; bellwethers for a unit that has top-10 potential once again.

Watch them.

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez #0 during practice at Gillette Stadium. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

Of course, don’t forget about second-round rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, who took first-team reps late in training camp and projects as a starter. Behind him, fourth-round pick Javon Baker made some of the biggest splash plays all summer. And both of them are looking up at projected No. 1 target DeMario Douglas, one of the NFL’s most dynamic slot receivers.

Until the Patriots reach free agency, Polk, Baker and Douglas represent their best chance to begin “weaponizing the offense,” a stated goal. Can they do it?

2. Wait for the upset

It’s coming. I promise.

The Patriots will pull off a major upset this season, even if they slump to the worst record in the league. Take a look at the last few teams who ranked dead last by the end of the season.

Last year, the Panthers knocked off the future AFC South champion Texans in late October.

In 2022, the Bad News Bears beat San Francisco, the NFC’s future runner-up.

Foxboro, MA – December 24: The ball bounces off of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) as New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) chases him as the Patriots take on the Bengals at the Gillette on December 24, 2022 in , Foxboro, MA. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)

In 2021, the Jaguars upset the Bills and eliminated the 9-7 Colts from playoff contention in their regular season finale.

The year before, the one-win Jaguars also beat the Colts, who reached the Wild Card round in 2020.

So who are the Patriots’ possible victims?

Look at Cincinnati in Week 1, San Francisco in Week 4, the Texans’ visit in Week 6 or any divisional matchup.

3. Cherish the little moments

Mayo hasn’t won a game yet.

Maye hasn’t attempted a pass.

Even with a season under his belt, Douglas doesn’t have an NFL touchdown to his name.

Sometime soon, these will be moments to remember and hold, however and whenever they come about. Remember late last year.

What Jerod Mayo is saying about Patriots TE Hunter Henry’s status for Week 1

The Patriots were trudging toward a top-5 pick, but stopped in Denver to upset the Broncos on Christmas Eve. Even if you were lamenting the impact that game had on the team’s draft odds, how sweet was it watching Christian Barmore single-handedly demolish Denver’s offense and sack Russell Wilson three times?

That night, in that game, his star was born.

Now, Barmore is the second-highest paid Patriots player ever. His return to the field, should he return from an indefinite absence due to blood clots, will be another reason to celebrate during a season that must hang its hat on something other than winning.

4. Dive into college football

If every Sunday the Patriots take another agonizing step closer to a top-5 pick, spend Saturdays familiarizing yourself with the top prospect they’ll be picking.

Start with Colorado sensation Travis Hunter, a potential top pick who starts at wide receiver and cornerback. Sticking at receiver, there’s Missouri’s Luther Burden III, Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and Emeka Egbuka at Ohio State, all projected first-rounders. Up front, LSU offensive tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr., are viewed as first-round talents, as is Texas product Kelvin Banks Jr.

Patriots have another potential emerging starter from 2024 NFL Draft class

As much as you might love the NFL, there is no party quite like college football. It comes with a bigger menu of everything: more teams, more games, more rivalries, more schemes, more tricks, more upsets, more drama.

So, pick a team, and ride with them. Or put on your scouting cap. Or stick to watching top-25 matchups and learn as you go.

5. Indulge your nostalgia

After a brutal loss — and especially if they drop one to the Jets — know that it’s OK to flip on the old Super Bowl highlights for a while.

Related Articles

Are Patriots playing it smart with Drake Maye? NFL sources weigh in

AFC East preview: Can the Patriots surprise against the Bills, Dolphins or Jets?

2024 NFL season preview: Super Bowl predictions, division picks and award winners

7 most important players, including DeMario Douglas, on Patriots’ roster in 2024

Patriots sign two players to practice squad, release veteran offensive lineman

The memories are there to keep you warm in winters like these.

Fire up the team-produced 3 Games to Glory sets, featuring every playoff game in each of the Patriots’ six title runs. Or fall down a YouTube rabbit hole of Tom Brady’s best throws. Pick a few Bill Belichick game-plan masterpieces — either Super Bowl against the Rams, his early duels with Peyton Manning or any number of forgotten games — and bask in the brilliance.

6. Crack a cold one or two

Or three.

Kidding. … Mostly.