Latest reports indicate Bill Belichick at risk of losing the locker room

The latest reports from Boston sports media indicate that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is at risk of losing the locker room.

On Monday, during his end-of-season news conference, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was asked if Mac Jones, if healthy, would be the starting quarterback next season.

In classic Belichick fashion, he gave a response that did not answer the question but instead opened up more questions. Belichick stated:

"“You know, Mac has the ability to play quarterback in this league. And we have to all work together to try and find the best way as a football team – which, obvisouly, quarterback’s an important position – to be more productive than we were this year. And so, that’ incumbent on all of this. We’ll all work together on that. And, again, look for better results.”"

Belichick did not specifically say that Jones would not be the starting quarterback next season; on the other hand, he did not say he would be the starting quarterback either. So, after having a quarterback controversy during the 2022 season, there is bound to be another in the offseason.

Will Bill Belichick lose the locker room?

During his appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s ‘Felger & Mazz’ show, Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard was asked how Patriots players felt about Belichick’s refusal to back Jones as the team’s franchise quarterback. Bedard stated:

"“Not well. The players that I’ve spoken to over the past week or so, sort of buttoning up end-of-the-season stuff is what I do every year, Mac has universal support in the locker room. And the players on both sides of the ball – especially offense – realize the postiton they were put in this season. They were not put in a position to succeed. I think it was a problem this year. We’ll see what happens – if Bill does anything more in private.”"

Bedard added:

"“But I think the lack of accountability by the head coach on him putting players in these positions, specifically how Bill handled the whole Bailey Zappe situation – that did not go over well in the locker room with Mac’s teammates. And I think there’s an issue there, and I don’t think further throwing Mac Jones under the bus is going to help that.”"

The quarterback controversy in New England started when Jones was injured in Week 3 of the 2022 season and rookie backup quarterback Bailey Zappe took over when Jones’ backup, Brian Hoyer, fell injured in Week 4.

Zappe played in four games and started two of them. He had 781 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also won the two games he started against the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. With Patriots fans in attendance chanting “ZAPPE” during games, “Zappe Fever,” dubbed by the media, took over in New England.

When Jones returned from injury in Week 7 against the Chicago Bears, he played three drives and was benched after throwing an interception; Zappe then took over, adding more fuel to the quarterback controversy fire. Zappe’s recent success halted as New England lost 33-14. Despite his benching in the previous week, Jones was named the starter for Week 8 against the New York Jets and would be the starter for the remainder of the season.

While having some bright moments, Mac Jones struggled throughout the 2022 season, with many blaming Matt Patricia’s predictable and subpar playcalling. Jones had 2,997 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

If Bedard’s reports are true, it is not surprising that Patriots players have issues with their head coach. From having their offense coached by an incompetent play-caller to their quarterback not being publically supported, they have every right to be upset for themselves and their fellow teammates.

Perhaps Belichick does not have the same command over the locker room that he once did. However, the only people who know what is said in private locker room moments are coaches and players. Belichick could be supporting his players privately; however, something seems off when you cannot publicly back your supposed franchise quarterback.