The New England Patriots have been embroiled in drama over the quarterback situation for next season, and a new report is only going to keep that story in the NFL news cycle for a while longer.
In the 2022 season, the New England Patriots’ offense was a mess. It followed a 2021 run with Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator where the team was top 15 in total and passing yards while having a rookie QB under the center. However, after he left to become the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, the odd combo of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge leading the offensive planning this past season led to the team falling toward the bottom of the league in those two categories.
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The ineffective play of the offense in 2022 also led to a mid-season quarterback controversy as rookie backup Bailey Zappe garnered a lot of fanfare and respect for his play in relief while Mac Jones was sidelined with an injury.
In the months since their season ended, there have been various rumors and reports on the dysfunction on offense last season and claims that head coach Bill Belichick has soured on Jones as his long-term answer at quarterback. Well, a new report suggests there are quite a few teammates who would be open to a different player being the starting QB in 2023 as well.
New England Patriots record (2022): 8-9, third place in AFC East
During a recent episode of “The Dan Patrick Show,” the host revealed some interesting information he received from a former member of the New England Patriots locker room.
“I do think that locker room is split. Somebody who used to play for the Patriots, and I asked, ‘Could you kind of find out how that feels in the locker room?’ When he came back to me, probably four days later, he said there’s a lot of support for Bailey Zappe. But that doesn’t mean they’re ready to turn the team over to Bailey Zappe. Bailey Zappe was a great college quarterback. Put up a lot of yards. But you spend the 15th pick in the first-round on Mac Jones, and you can’t whiff on that.”
– Dan Patrick
It’s unclear if the quote Patrick received was during the season or after, but either way it adds to the growing narrative that a contingent of people in the New England Patriots is over the idea of Mac Jones as their starting signal caller.