Out of the bye week, into the quarterback questions.
After Bill Belichick benched Mac Jones for the final drive in the Patriots’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts last week, he assured the time between that loss and whenever he announces Sunday’s starter, would be flooded with debate and speculation about who’d be the quarterback vs. the Giants.
Mac Jones? Bailey Zappe? Will Grier? Malik Cunningham?
BET ANYTHINGGET $250 BONUSESPN BET
21+ and present in MA, NJ, PA, VA, MD, WV, TN, LA, KS, KY, CO, AZ, IL, IA, IN, OH, MI. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
I asked the MassLive Patriots coverage team who each of us thought the Patriots would start and who should start against the Giants on Sunday afternoon.
1. Who will Bill Belichick start at quarterback against the Giants?
Chris Mason: Mac Jones — With a cloudy future in Foxborough, Bill Belichick is going to try to bank as many wins as he can down the stretch to try to catch Don Shula; New England’s draft position for 2024 is meaningless to him. Jones still gives Belichick the best chance to win — which is a massive indictment of the roster he constructed. There’s a reason Jones was the only quarterback that wasn’t cut after training camp.
Mark Daniels: Mac Jones — I would bet that when Bill Belichick is watched the game tape from Germany, he realized that as bad as Jones was, his offensive line was worse. The Patriots pass protection has been horrible this season. The offensive weapons aren’t much better. The problem with sitting Jones is he’s Belichick’s best option.
Karen Guregian: Mac Jones — Why? Because everyone on the planet is telling Bill Belichick he has to sit Jones. Belichick almost always doesn’t listen to what anyone else has to say, much less what popular opinion is telling him to do.
Nick O’Malley: Mac Jones — It’s not that I think Jones still has the starting job locked down. I think that he’ll be put into a position to compete for that starting spot along with Zappe and Grier in practice. Even with his issues, I think he wins that competition.
Matt Vautour: Bailey Zappe — If Bill Belichick goes back to Jones now, it’ll come off like admitting he made a mistake in Germany. Plus this team needs a spark. It can’t be more of the same. It’s Zappe’s turn next.
2. If you were the Patriots coach, who would you start at quarterback?
Chris Mason: Will Grier — Jones has gotten roughly 97 chances and keeps putting the same mistakes on tape, Zappe hasn’t been any better in relief and delivered a brutal camp over the summer. At this point, why not give Grier a shot? Worst case scenario — or best, depending on your draft dreams — the journeyman struggles and the Patriots are in the exact same spot.
Mark Daniels: Mac Jones — Jones looks like he’s lost his confidence. It looks like he might have the yips. But he’s still better than Bailey Zappe and Will Grier. I would ride it out with Jones. The worst thing that’ll happen is the Patriots continue to lose and get a better draft pick. Honestly, that’s probably the best outcome outside of Jones turning into an All-Pro overnight.
Karen Guregian: Anyone not named Mac Jones. He’s shot mentally. He needs a break, it doesn’t matter if he remains the best option or not. While it would be nice to see what Will Grier can do, or even have Malik Cunningham start just to bring a measure of excitement to the proceedings, it doesn’t matter. Bailey Zappe, Grier, Cunningham, pick one, just anyone but Mac Jones.
Nick O’Malley: Mac Jones — I really don’t think you gain much from benching Jones. His stock has never been lower. So if you want to trade him, this is a chance to raise that stock. If you want to go after a veteran quarterback this offseason, this is also a chance to say ‘Hey, I give my guys chances. I won’t bench you right away.’
Matt Vautour: Bailey Zappe — I’d start John Friesz if it were really up to me as I think highest draft pick possible is the best outcome for this season. But if I’m trying to approach this like a coach I think it’s got to be Zappe. I haven’t been a Zappe guy throughout, but I’m not starting Jones and it seems like too big an ask for either Grier or Cunningham.
- NFL fans can wager online on Massachusetts sports betting with enticing promo codes from top online sportsbooks. Use the FanDuel Massachusetts promo code and the DraftKings Massachusetts promo code for massive new user bonuses.
I made a Twitter poll with the same question. Click for updated results.
