Patriots announce starting QB for Week 1

Brissett beat out rookie Drake Maye, which was not a surprise. The veteran has taken most of the first-team reps in practice throughout training camp, and the feeling all along has been that the Patriots want Maye to spend some time on the bench.

Brissett left earlier than expected in New England’s preseason finale against the Washington Commanders on Sunday after he suffered a shoulder injury. He downplayed the significance of the injury, however, and the fact that he has been named the starting quarterback is confirmation that it was nothing serious.

Mayo recently made a surprising admission about the way Brissett and Maye played during the preseason, but the job was Brissett’s to lose all along.

Brissett has started 48 games in his NFL career, so he has plenty of experience. But if he struggles early on in the year, there will be tremendous pressure on Mayo and the Patriots to give Maye a shot.