Last month, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick didn’t shoot down the notion of having a quarterback competition between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe for the starter job this season.

What did offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien say Friday when asked if that was the current plan, if he was anticipating having both Jones and Zappe vying for the top job?

“I think everything we do here, is always based on competition,” O’Brien began. “That’s been the same that it’s been for 23 years, including all the years I wasn’t here.

“And everywhere I’ve been, whether I was working for Nick Saban or Bill Belichick, or when I was a head coach, everything is earned in the meeting room and on the practice field. That’s the way it’s always been.”

O’Brien then reiterated his message from the last media session, that the slate is clean, and everyone is starting fresh.

“The best players I’ve ever been around in this league always have the mantra that they’re going to have to earn it every single year,” he said. “And I think that’s a big deal . . . I’ve been very fortunate to have coached a lot of really good players, and that’s been a good theme for those guys.”

After a promising rookie year, Jones regressed last year under coaches Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. The expectation is for him to improve with O’Brien, but he’s going to have to earn his job first.

“(Guys) come back every single year, knowing each year is different. And that they have to earn it every single year. That’s what this place is all about,” said O’Brien.”That’s what we’re doing, and we’re off to a pretty good start.”