Patriots plan on starting Mac Jones against the Giants (report)
Bill Belichick refused to name a starter all week, citing all the quarterbacks would be ‘ready to go’
The New England Patriots are planning on starting quarterback Mac Jones on Sunday against the New York Giants, per The Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan.
Jones split starting reps with Bailey Zappe at practice this week. Both quarterbacks have been telling reporters all week they did not know who would be starting the game on Sunday.
Speculation began to surface after Jones was benched in the waining minutes during the Patriots 10-6 loss to the Colts in Germany two weeks ago.
Jones told reporters in the Patriots locker room that he was preparing to start against the Giants, despite not formally knowing what the plan was for him or others on the roster. “That’s the plan, I think,” said Jones.
The former Alabama quarterback has struggled this season, completing just 65.4% of his passes for 2,031 yards, with 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Zappe has played poor, going just 10-of-25 for 104 yards and an interception in three relief appearances.
“I mean, who knows? Whenever I get the opportunity, those opportunities, I’ve got to go in there and do my job,” Zappe said to reporters, including Callahan. “Haven’t done that to the best of my ability so when the next opportunity comes, whenever it is — this week, next week, whenever — I’ll make sure I take advantage of that opportunity and just try to go out there to help the team win.”
Bill Belichick has been asked repeatedly this week who the starting quarterback would be, the cantankerous coach told everyone that all platers would be “ready to go.”
The Patriots will be without Will Grier who was waived on Saturday afternoon. Grier did not play in any games with New England but spoke with media leading up to the game against the Giants talking about his preparation.
“Whether you’re comfortable or not, you get called on, you’ve got to go play and figure out a way to win,” Grier said to reporters on Tuesday. “So that’s the mentality for me. I don’t know what’s going to happen. Injuries happen. You’ve it around the league, a lot of guys have had to step up and play. If I’ve got to step up and play, I’ll be ready to go.”
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