Second-year pro Keion White called the Patriots’ defense “blessed” after Monday’s organized team activities practice because there is so much carryover from the 2023 season.

Head coach Bill Belichick parted ways with the team, but defensive assistants Jerod Mayo and DeMarcus Covington were promoted to head coach and defensive coordinator, respectively, and the Patriots are bringing back most of last season’s defensive starters.

Still, there was a noticeable difference in Monday’s practice to the young defensive end.

“We don’t got Bill cursing us out every play anymore, but it’s still pretty similar,” White said of the Patriots’ program.

The 2023 second-round pick made it clear he wasn’t taking a shot at his former head coach.

“I miss it,” he said. “I like Bill. He’s my type of coach, like a hard-ass. I like that. I respond well to things like that. But Mayo’s done a pretty good job, too. It’s all different. Mayo’s doing a really good job of staying true to himself, not trying to fill somebody else’s shoes, but create his own path, and I really respect that.”

Wide receiver DeVante Parker, who was released by the Patriots on March 14 and signed with the Eagles, announced his retirement Monday. The Patriots were set to pay him $3.19 million in 2024 but his retirement makes his guaranteed salary null and void, per a clause in his contract … Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones, who missed most of the 2023 season with a torn labrum, said Monday that he’s back to 100% … Mayo called Patriots third-year pro Bailey Zappe a “true professional” on Monday as he competes with quarterbacks Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett and Joe Milton. “Obviously, he is going to be competing with those guys, but at the same time, he is an open book. He is a resource. He has started games in this league, and that’s more than the other two quarterbacks can say.” … Mayo is “very excited” to work with new executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf. “We have been working behind the scenes for a while now. He is one of those guys where we both believe in collaboration and working together. Now look, once again, we are 0-0, so there will be a time where we probably won’t see things the same. But, at the same time, I think we can work through it.”