Maye out-performed Brissett during the preseason, which Mayo admitted before naming Brissett the opening-day starter, but the team elected to keep him on the bench to begin his career. That was likely owed at least in part to the supporting cast Maye will have around him as he steps into the lineup.

Brissett said during his weekly radio interview on Monday that he expected to start Sunday despite Coach Jerod Mayo not committing to him as he had in weeks prior. Mayo was critical of Brissett’s performance in the 15-10 loss to the Dolphins, telling reporters it “just wasn’t good enough.”

There were rumblings that Maye would beat Brissett out for the starting job to open the season but head coach Jerod Mayo has held off until now, likely in large part because the Patriots’ offensive line leaves the quarterback susceptible to getting battered.