The New England Patriots entered the season with Mac Jones as their clear-cut starting quarterback after he led the team to 10 wins and an appearance in the postseason as just a rookie. But with Jones struggling to start the season this year and rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe leading the Patriots to back-to-back wins with Jones injured, many are wondering if there could be a quarterback controversy in New England.
After Sunday afternoon’s win over the Cleveland Browns, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was asked point blank if Jones would be the team’s starter once he was healthy. Belichick had a chance to declare that Jones was the team’s starter and end all the controversy and speculation – but he didn’t do that.
Will Mac Jones start once he's healthy?
Belichick: "We'll see how that process is. Mac still wasn't able to play yesterday." pic.twitter.com/dOyZopnBqX
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) October 17, 2022
“We’ll see how that process is. Mac still wasn’t able to play yesterday,” Belichick said on Monday morning, according to New England Patriots beat writer Zach Cox of NESN.
With that quote from Belichick, it certainly looks like there could be a quarterback controversy brewing in New England. And the NFL world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
Any other coach says this and I’d feel like there’s a QB controversy lol.
Because it’s Bill I don’t think much of it tho. We shall see.
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) October 17, 2022
https://t.co/5T1DDfRQHW pic.twitter.com/ACDoxEJil8
— Milliken Militia (@MillikenMen) October 17, 2022
hey say that with a light sniffle? there's a fever going around https://t.co/sf1RSQoN63
— DJ Bean (@DJ_Bean) October 17, 2022
Again, Belichick has not been this joyful since Norwood's miss
After 2 years of being lost in Brady Eclipse … the planets are finally aligning in Belichick's Universe
Now BB has a QB controversy to boot
Of course, Pats still haven't won a playoff game in 1352 days
But hey https://t.co/O5dTHJ7kZR
— Obnoxious Boston Fan (@realOBF) October 17, 2022
Seems like the door is open https://t.co/CBU2pXw5Ww
— Craig Kolodny (@CraigKolodny) October 17, 2022
This is weird.. BB usually has had no issue proclaiming Mac as the QB. Why isn’t he now? Idk man it might be Zappe time https://t.co/84JQXxdfI6
— Ben (@BenHubbb) October 17, 2022
Belichick’s refusal to ‘answer’ that question adds to the QB ‘controversy.’ https://t.co/4YmWDBoNGA
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) October 17, 2022
BB isn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for Mac’s return https://t.co/MamCfV2mgk
— Yianni Kourakis (@WPBF_Yianni) October 17, 2022
In three appearances for the Patriots this season, Zappe is completing a stellar 72.9 percent of his passes for 596 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception. There’s a chance that his performance gives the team the best chance to win going forward.
[Zack Cox]
