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Boston Herald
Boston Herald
19 Dec 2023
Doug Kyed


NextImg:Can Mac Jones regain Patriots’ starting QB job? Bill O’Brien weighs in

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones lost his starting job to Bailey Zappe after being benched on four separate occasions this season, but offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien didn’t close the door on the possibility of the Alabama product gaining the top role back.

The Patriots are 1-2 with Zappe as the starter, and they began the season 2-9 with Jones under center.

“I think everybody’s gotta be ready to play, especially in the situation we’re in. I really do,” O’Brien said Tuesday on a video conference call. “I think that everybody has to be ready to go. Anybody that’s on the 53-man roster has to go out on the practice field and practice well and earn a shot to play. That’s whether you’re a quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, running back or offensive lineman.

“I know you’ve heard that from Bill (Belichick), but that’s the truth. You have to be ready to go, because if you practice really well, you’re going to have a real shot to play. I think that goes for every position.”

Zappe played well in the first half of the Patriots’ Week 14 win over the Steelers and their Week 15 loss to the Chiefs. But he fell apart in the second half with interceptions in both games.

Jones actually ranks higher than Zappe in both expected points added (EPA) per play and QBR.