Patriots head coach Bill Belichick entertained the possibility of a quarterback competition into training camp this summer, but backup quarterback Bailey Zappe never came close to pushing Mac Jones for the job.
The lack of a QB battle was as evident as ever Friday night in the Patriots’ third and final preseason game when Zappe started and played the majority of the game while Jones chilled on the sideline with the majority of Patriots starters.
Zappe needed the extra work in the Patriots’ 23-7 loss to the Titans in their preseason finale.
The 2022 fourth-round pick briefly gave way to third-stringer Trace McSorley midway through the second quarter. The Patriots made a surprise move by re-inserting Zappe into the game to start off the third quarter. Undrafted rookie wide receiver/quarterback Malik Cunningham took two snaps under center on the Patriots’ opening drive in the second half before Zappe once again took over at quarterback until late in the fourth quarter.
Cunningham played the Patriots’ final drive, getting re-inserted into the game with 3:01 remaining in the game.
None of the Patriots’ quarterback play was particularly inspiring in the loss to the Titans. Zappe finished 8-of-15 for 57 yards with a turnover on a strip sack. He was sacked three more times with two more fumbles (both recovered by Zappe). McSorley didn’t complete his only passing attempt and was sacked for a 5-yard loss. Cunningham carried the ball once for 5 yards and didn’t complete two passing attempts.
The Patriots’ top contributors who did see action were right guard Riley Reiff, cornerback Jack Jones, defensive tackles Daniel Ekuale and Carl Davis and edge defender Josh Uche. Reiff suffered an injury early in the second quarter, raising more questions for an already banged-up offensive line.
Rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte started but barely played in the Patriots’ final preseason game, which seems to be a positive indicator for his roster status as cuts loom Tuesday.
Jack Jones played extensively in all three of the Patriots’ preseason games. His status is up in the air as he faces gun charges for allegedly carrying two pistols and ammunition into Logan Airport in June. Jones said this week that he hasn’t heard from the NFL about a possible suspension. A hearing in municipal court was delayed from Aug. 18 to Sept. 15.
The Titans kicked off the scoring with two first-quarter field goals from Michael Badgley.
An interception by Patriots linebacker Calvin Munson, who made a strong case for a roster spot Friday night, put the Patriots in good field position for their lone touchdown of the night when running back Kevin Harris plowed forward for a 5-yard run into the end zone. Rookie wide receiver Thyrick Pitts put the Patriots into the red zone with an impressive 23-yard catch and run that saw him drag multiple Titans defenders down the field.
Munson has been a core special teamer for the Patriots this summer. He also charged the line of scrimmage for an unblocked 4-yard tackle for loss midway through the first quarter on a handoff to Titans running back Julius Chestnut.
Pitts was a late addition to the Patriots’ roster but has impressed on contested catches in training camp. He’s battling for a practice squad spot.
Chestnut took over the game late in the second quarter when he put the Titans on the 12-yard line with a 30-yard catch and run from Willis. He then scored on a 12-yard touchdown catch from Willis.
The Titans continued their scoring ways early in the fourth quarter when Willis beat Patriots defensive backs Joshuah Bledsoe and Quandre Mosely on a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kearis Jackson. Badgley kicked another field goal late in the fourth quarter.
Running back Pierre Strong, a 2022 fourth-round pick, led the Patriots with 29 yards on seven carries.
LB Calvin Munson: An interception and tackle for loss could be enough for Munson to make the 53-man roster or get playing time as an elevation off of the practice squad. He paced the team with 10 tackles.
DE Ronnie Perkins: The 2021 third-round pick has yet to make his NFL debut and missed more time with an injury this summer. He made the most of his playing time Friday night with nine tackles, a QB hit and tackle for loss. He left the game late with an apparent injury.
DT Sam Roberts: Roberts is another player vying for a roster spot. The second-year pro registered seven tackles, a sack, three QB hits and two tackles for loss. Could his emergence mean Davis is left off the defensive tackle depth chart?
CB Jack Jones: The prospective starter began Friday night’s game with some impressive plays in the running game. He later was penalized for pass interference and let up a 30-yard catch.
LT Andrew Stueber: The second-year pro, who missed this entire rookie season, let up two sacks including his second strip-sack in as many weeks. It’s hard to see Stueber making the roster even with so many injuries on the offensive line and questions at tackle.
QB Bailey Zappe: It wasn’t a promising summer for the Patriots backup quarterback. He was strip-sacked three times Friday night and simply held onto the ball too long on too many occasions.