FOXBOROUGH- Both Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones were full participants at practice on Saturday. Jones has been cleared but is supposedly operating at 85-90%. If that is the case, the Patriots should start Zappe on Monday night against the Bears.
Mac and Zappe both participating in pre practice drills. pic.twitter.com/5UrLLEK5I8
— New England Football Journal ® 🏈 (@newftbj) October 22, 2022
Zappe should start because he is fully healthy and has proven he can lead the offense: I do not think he should overtake Mac as the starter if Jones is healthy, but there is no reason to play Jones right now if he is not 100%
Latest I heard from a source on #Patriots QB Mac Jones was that he's pushing to play Monday night, but the team was undecided if they want to put him out there if he's still not at 100%.
Still 48 hours before a decision must be made.— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 22, 2022
When asked about the status of Jones playing this week after practicing with the team, Patriots Coach Bill Belichick did his usual word salad routine.
“Yeah, it’s good to have all of the players out there, that are out there. Some are doing more than others. We’ll see how it goes.”
Belichick was also asked how eager Jones was to get back.
“I’m sure all of our players want to play. That’s their job. That’s what they’re here for. Everybody wants to play.”
Belichick is noncommittal about Jones status for Monday but does it matter? Either he’s doing to throw the Bears off or he is genuinely struggling with the decision of who to start. I think the decision is easy. Zappe should start.
I know New England has a severe case of Zappe fever but that is not the reason I am suggesting the team stick with Zappe. Some have suggested that the Patriots wait until they are on the road before they turn the reigns back to Jones. Fine but I don’t think that matters. It should be about Jones health and not about the possibility of him getting booed if he struggles in front of the home crowd.
Mac Jones deserves to be the Patriots starring quarterback. I don’t think his injury or prior performance warrants him getting Wally Pipped. Bailey Zappe has played well enough that the Patriots have the luxury of taking their time with Mac. They should do that. Don’t rush him back.
Mac Jones spoke to reporters during the last 90 seconds of media locker-room access today, his first media appearance since his injury.
Physically, is the ankle good to go?
Jones: “Yeah, I think it feels pretty good.” pic.twitter.com/v613OZYDzu
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) October 21, 2022
Either way, this whole situation is spicy and it warrants keeping an eye on. It could get very interesting around these parts in the next two weeks.