New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has been benched for two consecutive weeks. Heading into NFL games today, head coach Bill Belichick is reportedly prepared to pull the plug on Jones for the third straight game.
In a Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Jones was benched after he completed just 12-of-21 passes for 150 yards, finishing with a 14.2 ESPN QBR. During that 38-3 loss, the third-year quarterback threw more touchdowns (one) to the Cowboys’ defenders than his teammates.
- Mac Jones stats 2023: 74.2 QB rating, 62.5% completion rate, 6 yards per attempt, 5-6 TD-INT, 1,008 passing yards, 40.1 QBR with a 1-4 record
After being replaced with Bailey Zappe against Dallas, Belichick announced in his post-game press conference that Jones was still the Patriots’ starting quarterback. One week later, in a 34-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Jones completed just 12-of-22 attempts for 110 passing yards, throwing two interceptions including a pick-six.
Following the second consecutive blowout loss, with the Patriots’ offense responsible for just one offensive touchdown in 12 quarters, Belichick backed Jones as the starting quarterback for Week 6. However, it appears the former first-round pick’s grasp on the starting job is in peril.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Jones is on a short leash heading into Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. If there are even a few poor series to open the game, with the offense not showing signs of improvement, Jones will be benched.
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Who will replace Mac Jones as the New England Patriots starting QB?
However, it might not be Zappe taking over for Jones. Rapoport notes from team sources that it’s currently not clear who Belichick now prefers as his secondary option at quarterback. Patriots’ quarterbacks split practice reps this week, with Zappe and Will Grier both receiving opportunities.
- Bailey Zappe stats 2023: 52.8 QB rating, 38.9% completion rate, 4.4 yards per attempt, 79 passing yards on 18 attempts
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There’s also another name to keep an eye on. Malik Cunningham, who played multiple positions this summer, signed a three-year deal over the weekend to join the active roster. He’s also seen more practice reps and New England could choose to use him if it needs a major spark.
If Jones is benched in Week 6, it’s very likely he won’t be the starting quarterback on Oct. 22 against the Buffalo Bills. With the former Pro Bowl quarterback’s career derailing after a promising rookie season, it appears highly unlikely New England will exercise his fifth-year option.
