The New England Patriots have gone back and forth between quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe a few times this season with neither one firmly earning the team’s starting quarterback role as both have struggled mightily throughout the season. As a result, it sounds like the team is expecting them both to be ready to play for the team.
During a press conference this week, Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien made it clear that he thinks everyone on the roster should be ready to play for the remainder of the season, including the quarterbacks.
“I think everybody’s gotta be ready to play — especially in the situation that we’re in,” O’Brien said according to Dakota Randall of NESN. “I really do. I think that everybody has to be ready to go. Anybody that’s on the 53-man roster really has to go out on the practice field and practice well and earn a shot to play.
“So, and I know that you’ve heard that from Bill [Belichick] — but that’s the truth. Like, you have to be ready to go. Because if you practice really well, you’re gonna have a real shot to play. So, I think that goes for every position.”
With the Patriots eliminated from postseason contention, it makes sense that the team might be looking to adjust their lineups for the last couple of games.
