"Arrr! 'Tis be Bailey Zappe, be now holdin' the title o' starting quarterback fer the Patriots in Week 13, says the scuttlebutt!"
2023-12-02
Avast ye scurvy dogs! Word has it that after being marooned on the bench four times this season, the New England Patriots be plannin' to keep Mac Jones below decks this weekend and let Bailey Zappe set sail as their starting matey. Arrr, the winds be changin'!
The New England Patriots' quarterback situation has taken another interesting turn, as Mac Jones has been benched for the fourth time this season. This time, Bailey Zappe will be starting in his place against the Los Angeles Chargers. According to The Athletic, Zappe took the majority of reps in practice leading up to the game. However, head coach Bill Belichick has remained tight-lipped about the decision, refusing to make any announcements regarding the lineup.The Patriots have struggled this season, currently holding a 2-9 record and sitting at the bottom of the AFC East. Jones, in his third season, has had a difficult time on the field, completing 224 passes for 2,120 yards and only 10 touchdowns in 11 starts. He has also thrown 12 interceptions and been sacked 22 times. Jones himself admitted that his performance has not been up to par, saying, "Just bad quarterback play and wasn't good enough by me. If the quarterback doesn't play well, you have no chance."
The Patriots' decision to bench Jones again raises questions about their ability to find a suitable heir to Tom Brady's throne. While Jones was the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the team has not yet found the same success they had with Brady. With their current record, the Patriots are in position to have the third overall pick in next year's draft, which is stacked with talented quarterbacks, including USC's Caleb Williams.
Overall, the Mac Jones era in New England may be coming to an end, with Zappe getting the opportunity to start this Sunday. Only time will tell if this move will improve the team's performance and provide a long-term solution at the quarterback position.