Bill Belichick gives head-scratching response to question about Patriots starting QB situation

Maybe Bill Belichick has told Mac Jones whether he’s starting or not on Sunday against the Giants. But as of Friday, he’s refusing to say whether the quarterback still is the Patriots first-teamer.

In fact, it’s kind of a game with Belichick, who might be too gruff to be coy. But he won’t say whether Jones, the starter all season, will be out on the field for the first snap or sitting the bench. Then again, given Jones’ sporadic play this season, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Belichick starts Bailey Zappe to give the Patriots an offensive spark.

A reporter asked the Patriots coach on Friday whether Jones got the first-team reps in practice.

“I’ve told everybody to be ready to go,” Belichick said.

Reporters tried again to glean information. Could another quarterback start besides Jones?

“I’ve told everybody to be ready to go,” Belichick repeated. And he added “I’ve told everybody to be ready to go. And hopefully, that’s what they’re all doing. I’m not going to announce starters at every position, or backup, or whatever. Hopefully, everybody will be ready to go.”

Usually, by the team’s 11th game of the season, the starter at quarterback is in cement, barring any injury. But the Patriots are 2-8. Belichick, after tweaking his offense to be more Mac Jones friendly, isn’t pleased with what he’s seeing on the field. In fact, Jones ranks 22nd overall among NFL quarterbacks in passing. There’s a lot of upheaval amongst quarterbacks in the league, with 10 rookies receiving a start. Through last week’s games, Jones is only ahead of Zach Wilson, Desmond Ridder, Kenny Pickett and Bryce Young.

The Jets demoted Wilson after last weekend. So it wouldn’t be unheard of for the Patriots to try someone new at QB.

In addition, Jones has thrown 10 interceptions, which is third highest in the NFL behind Sam Howell (13) and Josh Allen (12). But he’s only thrown 10 touchdown passes, unlike the two quarterbacks above him.

Belichick usually doesn’t toy, publicly, with who is quarterback will be. However, there have been issues with Jones, the Patriots’ first-round pick in the 2021 draft. Zappe needed to play for Jones last year when Jones sprained his ankle. Zappe won two games, which created a quarterback controversy, at least for a portion of the season.

Belichick pulled Jones Nov. 12 in a loss to the Colts. And he did so after Jones threw a red-zone interception late in the game. Zappe didn’t do any better. He also had a late interception, throwing into triple coverage. The Patriots then went into their bye week. And that’s when Belichick started being coy about the starter.

It’s not like the Giants aren’t having quarterback issues of their own. Daniel Jones is out for the season with a neck injury. And New York is down to undrafted rookie free agent Tommy DeVito. But unlike Jones, DeVito has momentum heading into the game. He helped the Giants beat the Commanders last Sunday and earned NFC offensive rookie of the week.