The quarterback competition between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe brought silence instead of eliciting the best from each signal-caller.
The two quarterbacks “hardly talk” as the Patriots season is about to hit its merciful end, as reported by the Boston Herald in a deep dive into the team’s 2023 woes.
“There definitely isn’t healthy communication in there about trying to win football games,” a team source told the publication about the state of the quarterbacks’ room.
Jones, the Patriots’ first-round pick in 2021, entered this make-or-break season as the Patriots’ starter following an uninspiring 2022 season.
While he played decently to start the year, “the locker room’s confidence in Jones waned significantly” after a 34-0 home loss to the Saints on Oct. 8, per the paper.
Jones ultimately was benched for Zappe, who also replaced him mid-game several times this season, and the two have not picked each other up.
The report says the two are often too focused on their individual preparation, leaving team sources to second-guess why they didn’t add a veteran to help keep everyone together.
Zappe, however, publicly has stated that Jones has helped him.
“It’s been good. Both of us want to win games,” he said after the Dec. 31 road loss to the Bills, per the outlet. “So, whoever’s out on the field, we’re going to help the other one.”
The paper reported some teammates believe Jones received a “raw deal” and that his failure is the product of instability around him.
However, Jones’ performance instilled no confidence and the Herald reported that teammates saw his “confidence was shot.”
The Alabama product reportedly had a habit of audibiling to a play call, only to forgo passing to the top option on said play.
Jones has tossed 10 touchdown passes compared to 12 interceptions this season, while Zappe has thrown six touchdown passes compared to seven interceptions.
“We had no chance to win with Mac at quarterback,” one source told the paper.
The instability at quarterback played a large role in why the Patriots are 4-12 entering their Week 18 finale against the Jets.
The Patriots’ dysfunction started before the season began.
“This was messed up from the beginning,” one source told the outlet.
Belichick reportedly denied new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, who had held the same role in New England before, the right to shape his staff as he saw fit.
The paper reported O’Brien had issues with Belichick’s hand-picked choices for the offensive line and receivers coaches, two units which have struggled this season.
“The staff dynamic is completely f—ed,” a team source told the Boston Herald.
However, one source pointed the finger at the team building philosophy and passing on making significant upgrades to the offense or the offensive line.
“We didn’t invest in the offensive line until the fourth round, didn’t take a receiver until the sixth,” a source told the paper. “How do we spend the first three picks on defense when tackle was the biggest problem on the team last year?”
It’s possible Sunday could mark Belichick’s final game as the Patriots head coach as rumors swirl about whether he will be retained after a second straight poor season.
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