Report: Patriots QB Mac Jones on a short leash against Raiders, Malik Cunningham is QB2

Mac Jones will start Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders with some internal pressure to perform early on. If he plays anything like the last two weeks, expect Bill Belichick to defer to other options.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported the news ahead of the game, noting that Jones won’t have much margin for error with today’s start.

“Sources say Jones is on a short leash, and a poor opening few series could potentially trigger another QB to take snaps in Las Vegas,” he wrote. “It’s just not entirely clear who would take those snaps if Jones is benched.”

However, as of Sunday afternoon, Rapoport amended his previous statement to note that former Louisville quarrterback Malik Cunningham would be the backup quarterback while Bailey Zappe is No. 3 on the depth chart.

“Active QBs are Mac Jones and Malik Cunningham… Bailey Zappe is the third QB,” Rapoport tweeted.

Initial report of Cunningham being activated

By Suzanne Haliburton

On Saturday, New England elevated Malik Cunningham to their active roster, with plans on keeping him there the rest of the season.

Ian Rapoport said that Cunningham, on top of the promotion, received a new three-year contract. And he’s no ordinary QB3. The Patriots signed the athletic Cunningham as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville back in April. During training camp, the Pats used him as both a quarterback and receiver.

Coach Bill Belichick knows he needs to do something to get the offense unstuck. The legendary head coach is experiencing some of the worst times in his career. He started October by losing to the Cowboys, 38-3. By point differential, the loss represented the worst in his career. Then last Sunday, New England lost 34-0 to New Orleans, proving that the Cowboys game wasn’t an abberation. The Patriots have started the season 1-4 for the first time since 2000, Belichick’s first in Foxboro.

In the past two games, Belichick benched starting quarterback Mac Jones. It’s basic football. If you go long stretches without scoring, you’re not doing your job. Plus, Jones has suffered six turnovers in the past two games.