Patriots QB Mac Jones' Starting Job 'Never' In Question?
For all the talk of a poor season from New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, apparently, there was never a question that his spot on the depth as the starter was ever truly in question... at least from Bailey Zappe.
The offseason was full of stories about a reported grudge being held against Jones by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick over issues the legendary coach had with how his second-year signal-caller conducted himself last season.
The rumors didn't stop there, as Belichick refused to publicly offer Jones an endorsement at the NFL Owners Meeting amid reports of a potential trade involving the quarterback.
Yet, after deciding to hold onto Jones for his third season in Foxboro, despite a reported interest in current New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Mass Live recently suggested that a "quarterback competition" between Jones and Zappe never occurred.
There never appeared to be a true quarterback competition this spring," Mass Live writes. "Jones took the majority of the quarterback reps in every drill. He was constantly ahead of backup Bailey Zappe. Jones also earned more reps and clearly looked like the best quarterback on the field this spring."
Furthering this observation by Mass Live, Belichick did offer his endorsement of Jones eventually this offseason, during an interview with the media following Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
“Yeah ... Mac's been our quarterback for two years," Belichick said. "As I tell the team every year, each player, each coach, we all have to reestablish and prove ourselves every year. That’s what this league is … 2023 is 2023."
Proving himself again is the goal for Jones, who has taken on the offseason motto of "re-earning the respect" of not only those in the building but also his opponents.
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