The New England Patriots will enter a season without Tom Brady as their clear-cut starting quarterback for the first time since 2001.
Welcome to the club, Patriots. You know, that unsettling feeling over not being sure who your starting quarterback will be this season, next year — or beyond. Just ask New England’s AFC East rivals about it. Miami, Buffalo and the New York Jets have lived through that frustrating uncertainty for much of this century.
For the first time since 2001, the Patriots will enter a season without Tom Brady as the clear-cut starting quarterback. Even during Brady's four-game suspension to begin the 2016 season, Bill Belichick's bunch knew he'd be back in Week 5.