After a disastrous 33-14 home loss on Monday Night Football in Week 7, the Patriots have reportedly ended the quarterback drama and settled on a starter.
Per Field Yates , the sophomore quarterback Mac Jones took 90% of the snaps at practice and will be the starting quarterback this Sunday against the Jets.
The second year of Jones’ career has been off to a tough start, as he entered the game having turned the ball over six times and had a 1-2 record. Then Jones suffered a severe high ankle sprain during Week 3. However, he returned on Monday night against the Chicago Bears and was greeted with cheers that shortly turned to boos after his questionable performance. It was not clear who the starter would be leading up to the game, as Bill Belichick only announced a starting quarterback an hour before game time. However, Bill Belichick pulled Mac Jones after three drives, and he did not return for the remainder of the game. Jones went 3/6 for 13 yards and an interception in that short time. In the post-game press conference, he told the media the plan was to rotate quarterbacks.
After veteran backup Brian Hoyer exited against the Packers in Week 4, it was all Bailey Zappe. Zappe went 2-0 as a starter posting a 100+ quarterback rating in each appearance leading up to Monday night. The fourth-round pick completed 72.9% of his passes for 596 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in Jones’ absence.
When the rookie entered, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. The fourth-round pick then led back-to-back touchdown drives. However, after that point, it went downhill. Bailey finished the night 14/22 for 185 yards.
On Wednesday afternoon Bill Belichick responded to every quarterback question with “we will see.” However, after practice, there seemed to be a different attitude as long-time captain Matthew Slater reiterated he stands by stating this is “Mac’s team.”
Later in the day, when Mac Jones spoke to the media, he said, “I plan to start every game that I’ve ever played in, whether in peewee football or third-string at Alabama. I always try to prepare as a starter. Like I say, if it’s one snap or 70, I’ll be ready to go. That’s all you can do, right? You can’t control anything else. I work hard and put myself in a position to do that, and yes, I think I deserve that.”
Mac Jones has no injury designation and said, “I feel pretty good. Just trying to get my treatment, and I’ve done a good job with that.” It will not be because of his ankle if Mac Jones gets benched.
Many Patriots fans are divided, but if they can agree on one thing, Bill Belichick has to announce a starting quarterback to eliminate any quarterback controversy in Foxborough.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
