FOXBORO — A quarterback change might lastly be on the horizon 13 weeks into the Patriots’ disappointing 2023 season.
Backup Bailey Zappe and undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham have been the one quarterbacks to take reps throughout observe in entrance of reporters throughout an open interval of observe whereas Mac Jones, who has began the primary 11 weeks of the season, stood by and watched. A supply stated Zappe took many of the quarterback reps on Wednesday.
Head coach Bill Belichick was requested Wednesday morning concerning the crew’s quarterback state of affairs and wouldn’t title a starter.
“Yeah, I’m not going to make any announcements on our lineup at any position,” Belichick stated. “It doesn’t matter what the position is. See how practice goes and see if everybody’s ready to go, hope that everybody’s ready to go, see what the injury situation is and then we’ll go with who we think is best Sunday.”
The Patriots benched Jones for the second straight week in Sunday’s 10-7 loss to the Giants and for the fourth time this season. Jones threw two interceptions within the first half Sunday earlier than Zappe changed him after halftime.
One supply believed Jones is missing confidence in himself, his teammates and the scheme, including Jones doesn’t belief his arm, the blocking or protection reads, so he’s “spiraling.”
Belichick did verbally decide to Jones earlier this season after he was benched in consecutive video games towards the Cowboys and Saints, so he was requested what modified in his strategy to creating these public bulletins.
“Yeah, because we’ll see how it goes,” Belichick stated. “I’m not prepared to make any announcement, so I’m not going to do that.”
Zappe has not obtained a beginning alternative but this season primarily based on his struggles in observe, per a supply. Those points date again to the summer season when he was waived out of coaching camp and the preseason.
Zappe led the Patriots on a scoring drive after changing Jones in Sunday’s loss however has thrown interceptions in every of his final two sport appearances. Belichick was requested what Zappe must do to earn a begin.
“Look, every player, whatever opportunities they have, need to do the best with them that they can – practice, games, even in meetings and other preparation opportunities,” Belichick stated. “So, that’s what a player can do – be prepared, do the best he can, and that’s what each guy will have an opportunity to do somewhere along the line over the course of a long season.”
A supply believed Cunningham may also get a take a look at quarterback in Sunday’s sport towards the Chargers. The rookie informed the Herald final week he had not practiced often at quarterback since Week 6 when he served as Jones’ backup.
“Well, there are other players who are practicing at quarterback, as well. He’s not the only guy out there,” Belichick stated Wednesday morning when requested why Cunningham had stopped practising at quarterback. “And it depends a little bit on the offense that we’re seeing. So, if we’re seeing offenses that run plays that he’s very good at running, teams like Philadelphia, the first Miami game, then he gets — they’re practice squad reps but they’re also reps on things that he does. So, he’s kind of a unique player. Things aren’t straight-lined with him. He’s different than probably every other player we have on the team. He’s handled a little bit differently.”
The Patriots additionally signed quarterback Will Grier to the observe squad Wednesday after he cleared waivers Monday. Grier initially was not anticipated to return to the Patriots however didn’t have a robust market of alternate options, in line with a supply.
“He could have been claimed by another team, so once he wasn’t claimed by another team, then we reopened the discussions,” Belichick stated. “But we didn’t control that.”
Belichick answered broadly when requested if Grier would obtain extra first-team reps this week in observe since Jones and Zappe each have struggled this season.
“All of the players who are on the practice squad – unless they’ve used all of their practice squad elevations – are eligible to be practice squad elevated,” Belichick stated. “Other players could be signed to the roster like we did with Conor (McDermott) last week, who was out of elevations. So, if they’re on the practice squad, they’re eligible and are preparing and should be ready to play. And potentially are ready to play. That includes everybody.”
Belichick would solely say “we’re going to do what’s best for the team based on the individual situation” when requested why Jones retains receiving extra alternatives after getting benched 4 occasions.
Zappe began two video games for the Patriots in 2022 and gained each. He has struggled to adapt to offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s extra complicated scheme, nevertheless.
Source: www.bostonherald.com