Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe? Bill Belichick Reveals New England Patriots QB Update

The New England Patriots and coach Bill Belichick face some tough decisions on their starting quarterback after a demoralizing loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

FOXBORO — For the first time in over two decades, the New England Patriots (2-8) face legitimate uncertainty regarding their future at quarterback. 

However, coach Bill Belichick is not quite ready to anoint either Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe as the team’s starting quarterback once their Bye week comes to an end. 

Less than 24 hours after the team’s 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany, Belichick was asked about his quarterback depth chart. As expected, the “HC of the NEP” was in a less-than divulgatory mood. 

“Yeah, we just got back from Germany,” Belichick told reporters on Monday morning via videoconference. “We'll look at everything across the board … and do the best we can here going forward.”

After throwing his NFL-high 10th interception, Jones was unceremoniously benched in favor of Zappe for the team’s final series on offense. New England’s incumbent starter had completed 15 of 20 passes for 170 yards, while having absorbed five sacks and one costly fourth-quarter interception — a throw which Jones himself would deem “terrible” in his postgame remarks to the media. 

Unfortunately for New England, Zappe did not fare much better. With 1:52 remaining in a still-winnable game, the second-year quarterback completed only 3 of 7 passes for 25 yards. After converting on a fourth down, Zappe delivered a nifty fake spike, but then threw into triple coverage and was picked off by Colts’ defensive back Rodney Thomas to seal the game.

New England Patriots Mac Jones, Bill Belichick :: Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Despite Zappe’s struggles, the core of the Pats problems at the position stem from Jones' inability to make sound decisions and execute when most needed. In fact, his dismal performance on Sunday appears to have exposed an obvious regression from which he seems ill-suited to recover. As such, many continue to wonder whether the Patriots former first-rounder (No. 15 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft) may have played his final down as the team’s starting quarterback. 

Still, Jones’ demise is hardly a clear precipitous for Zappe’s installation. The Western Kentucky product was released by the Patriots during final roster cuts, and has performed in a lackluster fashion in New England’s two blowout losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints last month. Belichick did however, credit Zappe for handing a difficult situation on Sunday as best as possible.  

"Bailey has prepared well every week,” Belichick said. “I think he stepped in and did the best he could. Was it perfect? No. Were there some positive things? Yes."

Ultimately, the questions surrounding Jones will be those most frequently asked throughout the coming days and weeks. In spite of the presence of offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien — with whom Jones was expected to forge a solid working relationship — the 25-year-old has yet to recapture his prowess shown during a promising rookie season. 

While subpar pass protection from the offensive line, and the inability for receivers to gain separation have contributed to his troubles, Jones' discomfort in the pocket has led to a foundering of both his confidence and his mechanics. New England's coaching staff must prioritize their attempts to repair both his timing and process. If they are unable to do so, the Pats may have no choice but to make an in-season change at quarterback — whether it be to Zappe, veteran Will Grier or scout team rookie Malik Cunningham.

Judging from Belichick’s Monday message, that appears to be a conversation for another day. 

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