After a disappointing 2022 season, Mac Jones’ future with the Patriots appears to still be in question.
At least it appears that way from his head coach.
When speaking with members of the media on Monday, Bill Belichick was asked directly about Jones being the team’s starter in 2023. But rather than giving a distinct vote of confidence from the team’s 2021 first-round pick, Belichick opted to keep the door open for discussion around the position.
QUESTION: "Is it fair to say Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe will be competing for the starting QB job?" pic.twitter.com/UER3Z0AQbo
— NBC Sports Boston's Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) March 27, 2023
“Well, everybody will get a chance to play. We’ll play the best players,” Belichick said. “Every position, everybody will get a chance to play. Everyone that’s on our roster, if they earn the opportunity to play based on what they do in practice and all that, then they will get a chance to play.”
Although Belichick has always kept what he really believes far from the media, the lack of answer only stirs up more questions, especially from how the two performed last season.
When Jones went down with an injury, Zappe stepped in and performed adequately and due to the team’s poor start with Jones, sparked the conversation as to if he should be the starter moving forward.
But after splitting time with Jones during the team’s loss to the Bears, the former Crimson Tide quarterback would finish the season.
Whether a true quarterback competition is afoot is only known by those in Foxborough. But speculation will only continue to ramp up as fall approaches.
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