FOXBORO — It would have made for a more interesting summer at Patriots training camp if there was a quarterback competition between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, but so far no such battle exists.
Jones takes first-team reps. He plays with the starting offensive line. That conversation, at least through a week-plus of training camp, should be over.
The Patriots starting quarterback was asked Thursday about avoiding the distraction that has come with the narrative that there would be a QB battle this summer. It was kickstarted at the NFL annual meeting when head coach Bill Belichick wouldn’t specifically name Jones as QB1. Even this week, Belichick made a comment to Sirius XM about his QBs that, “We’ll give them a chance to compete and see how it goes.” When asked a follow up this week asking if Jones will be the “day one starter,” Belichick repeated, “Everybody is out here competing. Everybody is out here competing, that’s what everybody is doing.”
Actions speak louder than words through eight training camp sessions when Zappe was been relegated to second-team reps despite some impressive practices.
The way that Jones pivoted his answer to the QB competition question Thursday was telling. He’s not focused on what appears to be a nonexistent competition.
“I think every year, you have to have the mindset that you’re competing, not only against yourself, but you’re competing against the teams you’re about to play, which is really important for me,” Jones said. “And understanding that it’s the NFL and every week you’re going to go against a great quarterback. That’s my biggest concern and just trying to lead the team every day and bring everybody along.”
Jones isn’t concentrated on Zappe. He’s focused on the season when he’ll face actual competition from other NFL teams.
Belichick not naming Jones as his definitive starter isn’t something new. He wouldn’t say that Jones would start when the former Alabama QB returned from his high ankle sprain last season. Even if there wasn’t a competition last season, it was smart for Jones to interpret there was one. “Competition is a good thing,” a source said at the time.
It helps that Jones is playing well enough this summer to make sure that Zappe can’t push him for the starting quarterback job. Jones had his best practice of the summer on Wednesday, going 13-of-14. He followed that up Thursday with another strong showing when he was taking more chances. He was 18-of-24 with an interception. He completed his longest pass of the summer on a 40-yard deep strike to wide receiver Tre Nixon. Zappe was 13-of-18 with his own pick Thursday.
The offense as a whole started slow this preseason as the Patriots began competitive drills in the red zone with a condensed field and less space to complete passes. But Jones hasn’t just improved with more space in front of him, the first-team offense is scoring more touchdowns in the red zone now, as well.
Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster said Thursday that’s come from mastering the plays that have been installed. The Patriots’ defense has commented on how difficult Bill O’Brien and the offense makes things because they “never see the same thing twice.”
The Patriots also made things more challenging for Jones on Thursday. Coaches gave Jones the starting offensive line — which is currently without left tackle Trent Brown, left guard Cole Strange and right guard Mike Onwenu — but backup pass catchers for his first three cycles of competitive team drills. Zappe was playing behind the backup offensive line and top pass catchers.
“I think it’s great,” Jones said. “I actually had to do that a lot at Alabama. I was on the scout team, and we had to go against 11 NFL starters. Nothing new there. I think the important thing is to accept the challenge. He’s trying to make it hard on us, and that’s a good thing, right? So when you get to the game, it’s always harder whether it’s a wet ball or the clock is running down fast.”
Jones said he made it a focus this offseason to enjoy himself more. The QB kept talking about how much fun he’s having in training camp, and his excitement has been obvious on the field. He’s celebrating with teammates. He’s talking trash. He also likes the new system the Patriots are running. He enjoys being coached by O’Brien.
“I do think this system allows the quarterback — puts a lot on their plate — but also allows us to know what to do to play really fast,” Jones said. “I think it’s a great system.”
Jones had one of the most efficient rookie seasons for a quarterback in NFL history. He dropped off precipitously last season under Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. The offense is in much better shape with O’Brien running the show. “The ruldes and standards have been set,” according to Jones. Now the third-year pro has to prove himself when he faces real competition in the form of opposing NFL teams this fall.