New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said Monday that the team’s decision to sign quarterback Matt Corral doesn’t mean he’s automatically claimed the QB2 role.
While Mac Jones is the starter, the Patriots completely reshuffled their quarterback room last week. They waived Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham, then signed former Ole Miss quarterback Corral, a third-round pick by the Carolina Panthers last season.
Belichick told WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show Monday that the Pats had scouted Corral in college and he’s “a player we wanted to work with.”
“We claimed him when he was available,” Belichick told the show. “Take a look at him and see how it goes. Had a very good career at Mississippi, and then hasn’t really had a lot of chance to do much in the last two years. Was injured and missed some time, but had a good preseason. So, we’ll see how it goes. Look forward to working with him.”
While it’s great to have a six-time Super Bowl championship-winning coach on your side, it sounds as if Corral has a short leash. When asked if Corral would be the top backup behind Jones for the season opener, Belichick would not even commit to that.
“Yeah, I don’t know,” Belichick said. “He hasn’t even been on the field yet, so we’ll see.”
