Jimmy Garoppolo is preparing to start in Week 1 for the New England Patriots with Tom Brady's suspension decision waiting in the balance.

“Whether I’m the starter, backup, whatever that may be, I’m preparing like the starter, and I’ve got to be ready for Week 1,” Garoppolo said.

Garoppolo claimed his meticulous preparation has been a constant, dating all the way back to OTAs.

“You’ve got to come into this whether you’re a starter or a backup, you’ve got to have a starter’s mentality, Garoppolo said. “You never know when your number is going to get called.”

Garoppolo has endured an up-and-down preseason.

In the first game against the Packers, he seemed to hold the ball too long in the pocket and was sacked seven times in a 22-11 loss. But last week, he was sharp in leading the Patriots to a 17-16 victory against the Panthers and posted a passer rating of 116.3 in a comeback win.