Patriots' Mac Jones has lost more than his job
Quarterback Mac Jones was benched against the Indianapolis Colts in Germany with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. Backup Bailey Zappe came in and threw an interception to end the game. Now there is an unknown when it comes to who will be starting for the New England Patriots moving forward.
This was the second occasion Jones has been benched due to poor performance, the other during the Week 5 loss against the Saints. Jones is one of the captains on the team and it would be fair to question if head coach Bill Belichick would lose his locker room if Mac is benched, the answer is too late.
According to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, multiple team sources say that the locker room is done with believing in Jones. While players have said they believe in Jones publicly, behind the scenes the feeling is different.
“One team source estimated that at least 80% of the Patriots’ locker room is out on Jones.” Callahan wrote. Another source told Callahan that “the vast majority” of players are no longer behind the quarterback.
Callahan added that “both (sources) said the lack of belief spreads to both sides of the ball, with a shared sense that Jones’ worst mistakes negate the best efforts of his teammates.”
The Patriots have been a disaster offensively and inconsistent on defense all year. However, it has to be deflating each week knowing not just the offense but the defense will have to overcome a Jones turnover or sometimes even multiple to win. Losing the majority of the locker room is just another sign that Jones’ time is likely up in New England.
Belichick has been quiet on who will start at quarterback moving forward. With seven games to go, it is also unclear if the Week 12 starter will be the signal caller for the rest of the season. When specifically asked if Mac will be the starter the head coach was non-committal.
“We’ve got a lot of thing to work on this week as a team, and we’ll work through those.” Belichick told reporters Tuesday. Belichick has a bye week to get prepared for the New York Giants in Week 12.
If Jones does not start the team could turn to either Zappe or practice squad quarterback Will Grier who performed well for the Cowboys in the preseason. The Patriots practice today, so the practice reps could give an indication of the direction Belichick is going to go.
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