Jerod Mayo takes over as head coach in New England for a team trying to rebuild. Charles Krupa/Associated Press

CINCINNATI —The New England Patriots begin the first season of the post-Bill Belichick era Sunday when they face the Cincinnati Bengals in their season opener.

Jerod Mayo takes over as coach, journeyman offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is calling plays and Jacoby Brissett is the starting quarterback while the third-pick in the draft, Drake Maye, prepares to become the team’s quarterback of the future.

Mayo, a former Patriots linebacker, takes over for Belichick after 24 seasons, looking to improve on last year’s 4-13 finish.

The Patriots won six Super Bowls under Belichick, but they reached the playoffs just once and had an overall record of 29-38 after quarterback Tom Brady left. Mayo has presided over a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of 2021 first-round draft pick Mac Jones and bringing in 28 new players to the 53-man roster.

But the overarching strategy hasn’t changed much.

“I think we have to go out there and really be able to control the line of scrimmage, on both sides of the ball,” Mayo said. “It’s about controlling the line of scrimmage and controlling the game.”

Jacoby Brissett will start at quarterback for the Patriots while rookie Drake Maye adjust to life in the NFL. The No. 3 pick in the draft, Maye is considered the future of the franchise. Nick Wass/Associated Press

Mayo said Maye outplayed Jacoby Brissett in the exhibition season, but Mayo still went with the veteran Brissett to start the opener. The decision was made in part to give Maye more time to learn but also because of a banged-up offensive line that leaves the quarterback in danger.

Maye was 21 for 34 for 192 yards and one touchdown in the preseason. Brissett was 5 of 14 for 36 yards and one interception. (Joe Milton III and Bailey Zappe also saw action.) Patriots quarterbacks were sacked six times in the three exhibition games.

In Cinncinati, quarterback Joe Burrow is mostly healthy to start a season for the first time since his rookie campaign in 2020.

That alone is a huge reason for optimism for the Bengals.

The most pressing issue for the Bengals is whether Burrow’s favorite target, star receiver Ja’Marr Chase, will be available. Chase, who is negotiating with the team on a contract extension, sat out much of training camp while waiting for the situation to play out, and he said Friday it was his decision whether to play.

Chase practiced this week, but is listed as questionable and the team said he is dealing with an illness.

Burrow, who won a national championship at LSU with Chase as his teammate in 2019, said that he’s confident that if the receiver plays Sunday, he will be physically and mentally ready. Chase has two years left on his contract but expects a restructured deal that rewards him for being one of the top receivers in the NFL.

“I’m not getting involved in his business. I’m going about mine and trying to get better every day and trying to get ready for Sunday,” Burrow said. “I know he’s doing what he needs to do to be ready to go, if need be. I’m just doing what I got to do.”

Coach Zac Taylor said the Bengals have a contingency plan in case Chase is unavailable.

Burrow is back after tearing a ligament in his throwing hand last Nov. 16 and having surgery. The Bengals ended up finishing 9-8 — last in the AFC North.

Assuming Chase is ready to go, Burrow will have the same two primary receivers he’s been throwing to since 2021 – Chase and Tee Higgins. The third receiver in that group, Tyler Boyd, became a free agent and signed with the Tennessee Titans. Second-year player Andrei Iosivas is the likely starter as the No. 3 receiver.

The Bengals brought in veteran running back Zack Moss to replace Joe Mixon. Moss had the best year of his career with the Colts in 2023, rushing for 794 yards and five touchdowns. Pass-catching tight end Mike Gesicki and huge offensive tackle Trent Brown came aboard from the Patriots, and former Ravens safety Geno Stone was brought in to help stabilize the secondary.

NOTES: New England activated guard Michael Jordan and defensive lineman Trysten Hill from the practice squad.

Jordan wasn’t a surprise with Sidy Sow already ruled out.

As for Hill, with Christian Barmore out indefinitely, Matthew Judon traded, and Joshua Uche questionable with a foot injury, the 26-year-old will provide some additional insurance on the defensive line.