New England Patriots’ Starting Quarterback Remains Silly Secret

The New England Patriots are approaching the 11th hour for their upcoming matchup with the New York Giants, without coach Bill Belichick having named either Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe as the team’s starting quarterback.

FOXBORO — With less than 48 hours remaining until their 1 p.m. kickoff against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, the New England Patriots have yet to reveal their starting quarterback for this Week 12 matchup. 

Since the final seconds ticked from the clock during the Pats Week 10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, fans and media alike have wondered whether incumbent starter Mac Jones would retain his job guiding the 2-8 Patriots, or would he relinquish the reins to second-year backup Bailey Zappe, veteran Will Grier, or rookie Malik Cunningham? 

Despite the persistence of those asking the questions on everyone’s mind, Pats coach Bill Belichick has yet to alter his response. 

“I’ve told everybody to be ready to go,” Belichick told reporters on Friday morning. “Hopefully that’s what they’re all doing. I’m not going to announce starters at every position. Everybody will be ready to go.”

In fact, it appears that not even the players themselves have been privy to the identity of the player soon to be chosen by the Pats 71-year-old coach. Accordingly, each member of New England’s quarterback quartet is planning on being ready to play at a moment’s notice. 

“That’s Coach Belichick’s decision,” Zappe advised from his locker on Friday afternoon. “He’s the head coach for a reason. He makes those decisions, and we just play football.”

When asked directly whether he knew who would be starting against the Giants on Sunday, Zappe resolutely replied, “No.” 

No matter who gets the nod against the Giants this weekend, New England is in dire need of productivity on offense. Entering their Week 11 bye, the Patriots offense ranked No. 31 in the NFL, averaging 14.1 points per game. For better or worse, the quarterbacks have shouldered the majority of the blame — especially Jones. The third-year product of Alabama has completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 2,031 yards, 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions through the season’s first 10 games. Jones has routinely struggled with his field vision, timing and decision-making, often leading to disastrous results. 

New England Patriots Mac Jones, Bill Belichick, Bailey Zappe / Cred: NFL Media

Yet, the Pats have wisely exhibited caution in deciding whether or not to demote Jones. Zappe has only completed 10 passes for 104 yards and an interception during three appearances in relief-duty. Despite Grier’s veteran savvy, he has yet to take an in-game, competitive snap for New England this season. Lastly, rookie Malik Cunningham has largely underwhelmed in his limited duties, save for leading an exciting, game-ending drive in the Pats’ preseason opener against the Houston Texans. As such, Cunningham has mostly remained a mainstay on the Pats’ practice squad.

Throughout the week, reports indicated that Jones was taking the majority of his reps with the first-team offense, with both Zappe and Grier getting looks with the second and third units respectively. However, NBC Sports Boston reported on Friday evening that the snaps may have been more evenly distributed among both Jones and Zappe than originally thought. 

Mac 'Hopes' To Start vs. Giants; Patriots' QB Plan?

Though conventional wisdom favors Jones as the front-runner, Zappe remains confident that he will maximize his opportunities when provided. Thus far, the Western Kentucky product has yet recapture the poise and prowess he exhibited in leading the Patriots to consecutive victories as a rookie in 2022. Zappe has performed in a lackluster fashion in New England’s two blowout losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints last month — while throwing a ghastly interception into triple coverage to seal the Colts 10-6 win in Frankfurt, Germany. 

In spite of the seemingly uphill battle, the 24-year-old is using each practice field snap as an opportunity to grow into the status to which he aspires. 

“I mean, who knows,” Zappe said when asked if his day might be coming sooner rather than later. “Whenever I get those opportunities, I got to go in there and do my job. Haven’t done that to the best of my ability so whenever that next opportunity comes, this week or whenever, I’ll try to go out there, take advantage of my opportunity and just go out there and help the team win.”