NFL Rumors: Latest on Patriots and Buccaneers QB battles, Carson Wentz

NFL Rumors: Bill Belichick refuses to back Mac Jones over Bailey Zappe

Mac Jones was the No. 15 pick out of Alabama in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was Bill Belichick’s starter from day one, and his rookie season was one to remember. He finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, behind only Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase, and he completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Jones’ sophomore season with the Pats was a different story. He dealt with injuries, he only threw three more touchdowns (14) than interceptions (11), and his completion percentage dipped. New England was 6-8 with Jones under center, compared to 10-7 in his rookie year. Jones went from one of the NFL’s brightest young stars to a complete non-entity at QB.

That said, the Patriots were expected to enter the new season with enough faith in Jones to cement his status as the No. 1 QB with no real competition. Bill Belichick, however, has been completely unwilling to voice his unwavering support for Jones, instead opting to stoke the flames of QB controversy.

Bailey Zappe, the Patriots’ fourth-round pick in 2022, has been floated as a potential threat to Jones’ status in training camp. When asked about the nature of the QB room in practice, here’s what Belichick told reporters:

"“Everybody is out here competing, all 90 guys. That’s what we’re all here for is to go out and compete.”"

When asked if that means Mac Jones isn’t necessarily the day one starter, Belichick doubled down with a slight rephrasing of the same statement. Belichick has always been purposefully evasive and noncommittal with the media, but it’s notable that Jones — a former top-15 pick — can’t get the unfettered endorsement of his head coach. It certainly adds fuel to the fire of the idea that Jones’ job isn’t safe.

Zappe appeared in four games and made two starts for the Patriots last season, winning both those games. He completed 70.7 percent of his passes for 781 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions on 92 attempts. A small sample size, but definitely encouraging enough to have New England fans — and maybe even Belichick — second-guessing Jones.