Bill Belichick comments on quarterback situation between Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe

Mac Jones returned to action on Monday night for New England and lasted all of three drives. Head coach Bill Belichick had a short lease for Jones, who was a month removed from a tough ankle injury. Bailey Zappe entered the game and after a quick spark, stalled out as the Patriots lost to Chicago 33-14.

Heading into the second half, Belichick told ESPN’s Lisa Salters that playing Zappe was always part of the game plan. He even said both Jones and Zappe would play in the second half. That part turned out not to be true, with Jones never coming back into the game, despite some more struggles from New England.

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During his postgame press conference, Belichick explained his decision to make the quarterback switch. He said Jones was not pulled from the game due to performance. When asked who would be the starter next week, he gave a classic Belichick response by saying “we just finished the game.”

Did Bill Belichick pull Mac Jones due to a medical decision?

"No."

Was it due to the interception?

"No."

So was it a benching for his performance?

"That's not what it was."

— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) October 25, 2022

When Zappe came onto the field, he led the Patriots down the field and brought life into the home Gillette Stadium crowd. In just four plays, New England was on the board due to some wide-open receivers. However, the impressive drive was not able to translate to the entire game.

Zappe finished with 185 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions in primetime. He completed 63.6% of his throws, not having the best overall night. In what started to look so promising, the rookie could not play a complete game.

Jones threw six passes, completing just three of them. They went for 13 yards and one was caught by the Bears, with an interception going the other way. In what was a short return to football for Jones, it’s a performance he will want to forget — no matter his status as the starting quarterback moving forward.

New England is now 3-4, being the only team under .500 in the AFC East. An important divisional showdown will take place for them next week, with the New York Jets playing host at Metlife Stadium.

Bill Belichick will have to decide between Jones and Zappe. And if the Patriots are going to make a run in the AFC, he will have to make the right decision. Based on Monday night’s performance, there is a lot of work to be done in practice leading into the Jets.