It appears that the New England Patriots’ quarterback situation may not be contentious after all.
When he recovers fully from his high ankle sprain, Mac Jones will reclaim his position as the Patriots’ starting quarterback, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic on Thursday.
Jones’ return could occur very soon as well. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the second-year quarterback anticipates being fit to play in Week 7’s matchup with the Chicago Bears. According to Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston, Jones’ ankle has been steadily improving, and he now anticipates returning within the four to six weeks that doctors first gave him for his ailment.
The Patriots have played their best football thus far in the still-early season while Jones has been out. New England is 2-1 behind fourth-round rookie Bailey Zappe, with its lone loss coming in extra time against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4.
In the three games Jones has missed, Zappe and the rest of the Patriots’ offence have performed better than they did in the season’s opening three contests. Zappe has the highest passer rating of any quarterback who has completed at least 70 throws this season with a total of 596 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. In the two games Zappe has started, New England’s offence has also scored or tried a field goal on 13 of its 18 possessions, eliminating end-of-half kneel-downs.
Longest active streak of consecutive games with 100+ Passer Rating
Bailey Zappe 3
Josh Allen 2
Daniel Jones 2 pic.twitter.com/U4PjzJMmTG— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) October 18, 2022
In the first three games of the season for the Patriots, Jones struggled, throwing for 786 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions with a passer rating of 76.2.
When Jones returns from injury, there have been rumours regarding whether or not he should retain his position. However, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he anticipates Jones to be honest about how his ankle feels.
We’ll see how it unfolds, but I have complete faith in Mac and our chats over the past couple of years, Belichick remarked on Wednesday. “I’m not sure,”
Zappe appears to be returning to the bench, showing no signs of altering his strategy for the forthcoming match.
Nothing will change in terms of planning, according to Zappe on Wednesday. “I intend to continue doing what I’ve been doing for the past seven weeks. We essentially have an extra day to get to the Bears because of the Monday game. Only this week have some of the elements that we saw in the last few weeks of the movie been worked on. In terms of the fundamentals, we’re practising that, but other from that, not much will change.
Bill Belichick was asked about the Patriots’ starting QB situation when Mac Jones is healthy… pic.twitter.com/B1ohDBx1vJ
— NBC Sports Boston’s Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) October 17, 2022
Zappe claimed there has been no hostility between the two young quarterbacks, despite the fact that many people wonder if there is.
Jones, according to Zappe, “has helped a lot.” He’s been in the league for a whole year longer than I have, of course. I’ve had the opportunity to quiz him. He has allowed me to ask him questions, and he has been very helpful in responding to them. He is a big assistance.
The Patriots will start a vital stretch of games after their Week 7 matchup with the Bears on Monday night, which might influence the outcome of their season. They play the New York Jets in weeks eight and eleven, and they host the Indianapolis Colts in week nine before taking on the Minnesota Vikings on Thanksgiving.
Mac Jones-Bailey Zappe QB controversy between the Patriots is ended, according to ClutchPoints.
