Patriots head coach Bill Belichick isn’t keen to publicly name a starting quarterback ahead of New England’s Week 12 matchup with the New York Giants.
“Be ready to go, I’ve conveyed the same message to all the players,” Belichick informed reporters on Tuesday morning. “Hopefully, they will be prepared,” he added.
When repeatedly questioned about the impending quarterback decision, the head coach consistently gave similar versions of the same answer: “I’ve instructed everyone to be prepared.”
This conundrum has been brewing all season for the 2-8 Patriots, regardless if he’s keeping a decision close to his chest for a competitive advantage.
Bill Belichick has relegated third-year quarterback Mac Jones to the sidelines during a couple of games this year, but while he did so in October during a blowout loss to the Cowboys that was far out of reach, Belichick benched Jones in Week 10 for the final drive of a 10-6 game against the Colts.
At that point, Jones had only thrown for 170 yards and his previous possession had concluded with a red-zone interception.
Bailey Zappe took over with a chance to play the hero. He, too, threw an interception — with this one ending the game.
That’s been the story of Belichick’s most disappointing campaign with New England in 24 years in charge. The Patriots currently hold the No. 3 overall pick for a 2024 draft that is potentially ripe with QB talent, but for now they need someone under center capable of providing some kind of positivity down the stretch.
Jones, who was a first-round selection three years ago, hasn’t performed as well in his 10 starts this year. He has thrown for 2,031 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, with a completion percentage of 65.4 and a career-low passer rating of 80.2.
After throwing for 316 yards and three touchdowns in the season’s first game, he has only exceeded 250 yards passing one more time. He has experienced more games without a touchdown pass (four) than games without an interception (two).
Zappe, who occasionally substituted for Jones last year, has achieved 10 out of 25 for 104 yards and one interception in this season’s three games.
There’s also Will Grier, who had a promising preseason with the Cowboys, and dual-threat Malik Cunningham, currently on the practice squad.
Belichick would not rule anyone out Tuesday, nor did he provide the slightest indication that anyone was the favorite to start against the 3-8 Giants and undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito.
“Belichick said, “I’ll inform you on Sunday.”
