


FOXBORO — Bill Belichick still won’t name a starting quarterback for the Patriots, while all signs point to Bailey Zappe getting the nod Sunday.
But he did share this Friday on Zappe’s practice performance during the week week: “Pretty consistent. About what it’s been all year,” Belichick said. “He’s pretty even-keeled. Not a lot of roller coaster with him.”
Zappe has taken the majority of first-team reps at quarterback, according to Herald sources, while Mac Jones has worked with the scout-team. Undrafted rookie quarterback/receiver Malik Cunningham has also dropped under center with the starting unit for a few snaps. Zappe is expected to make his first start of the season against the Chargers after replacing Jones in four games this season.
In those appearances, Zappe has completed 48.7% of his passes for 158 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. Last week, Jones barely out-performed Zappe in practice, according to a source, but was benched at halftime in an eventual 10-7 loss to the Giants. Zappe finished the game going 9-of-14 for 54 yards and an interception.
Belichick reiterated Friday he is not prepared to name a starter. Asked Wednesday what Zappe must do to earn a starting job, he offered: “Look, every player, whatever opportunities they have, need to do the best with them that they can –practice, games, even in meetings and other preparation opportunities. So, that’s what a player can do – be prepared, do the best he can, and that’s what each guy will have an opportunity to do somewhere along the line over the course of a long season.
“A lot of times it’s multiple times in a day. Sometimes, for some players, the opportunities are a little bit different. But, when those opportunities come, that’s what players need to do. That’s what they’ve been told, and they know and understand that, and I think they’re doing the best they can. We’ll see how it goes.”
The Patriots and Chargers will kick off Sunday at 1 p.m. in Gillette Stadium.