Report: Bill Belichick addresses Mac Jones benching, makes surprising second-half promise

Bill Belichick made a gutsy decision in the first half of Monday Night Football, deciding to bench Mac Jones with Bailey Zappe. While at the time it seemed like there was going to be a changing of the guard, that’s not the case according to the New England Patriots head coach.

ESPN’s Lisa Salters caught up with Belichick at halftime, where he said playing both Jones and Zappe was part of the gameplan. In fact, he said both quarterbacks will see the field in the second half, possibly following a similar plan to the one in the first half.

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“He said that was the plan all along,” Salters said. “I asked him if Bailey Zappe would play the rest of the way and he said no. He and Mac Jones will both play in the second half.”

With the Patriots receiving the kick-off to begin the second half, Zappe was the one who stepped onto the field, not Jones. For now, Belichick will not be sticking to the same plan they had entering the game. Even with the Patriots down six coming out of the locker room, it’s been clear who the better quarterback has been.

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Jones does not have the most eye-pleasing stat line, completing half of his six pass attempts. Those have gone for a total of 13 yards, while the former first-round pick also threw a bad interception. Coming off what was a brutal ankle injury, Jones could have been shaking off the rust.

However, Zappe immediately came in and immediately led the Patriots down the field for an impressive touchdown drive. The home crowd was chanting for his name before Belichick made the decision. New England fans were then chanting his name once again in celebration.