New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Why beleaguered Mac Jones might remain Patriots starting QB

By Pierce Downey | Last updated 11/15/23

In a sign that he may retain his position as New England Patriots starting QB, beleaguered Mac Jones took reps ahead of backups Bailey Zappe and Will Grier at practice Wednesday.

"Historically, these early reps do indicate who the Patriots view as their starters," Mark Daniels of masslive.com wrote. The Patriots have not made an official announcement on a starting QB ahead of a Week 12 game against the New York Giants. New England has a bye in Week 11.

Mac Jones took the first reps of practice. He was with David Andrews and that group. Bailey Zappe came on the field next. Zappe wasn’t with Andrews.

From our brief look at practice, Mac still looks like the starter. We’ll see if that changes next week pic.twitter.com/7qizfXXdzf
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) November 15, 2023

For the season, Jones has 10 TD passes and 10 interceptions — tied for the second most in the league behind Bills QB Josh Allen. During a brutal 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10, the Patriots pulled Jones late in the fourth quarter.

Regardless of his status for the next game, Jones' long-term future with the Patriots is in limbo. He was already on thin ice entering 2023 and has regressed significantly since an impressive rookie season in 2021. Jones' status with teammates may not help his case to remain starter.

Patriots players are "80-20 out on [Jones]," sources told the Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan. If Jones has lost the locker room, it makes little sense for him to remain with the Patriots long-term.

Whether Mac Jones loses the starting job or not, he’s already lost 1 thing: the locker room.

One team source said the locker room is 80-20 out on Mac. Another said the vast majority of players are done with him.

Plus, 6 more Patriots nuggets at the bye: https://t.co/M3OBzncjIg pic.twitter.com/uJLY23ppMH
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) November 15, 2023

For now, however, head coach Bill Belichick may go with his Game 1 starter for the remainder of the season unless Jones' play gets even worse.

At 2-8 and last in the AFC East, the Patriots should have their sights set on the 2024 NFL Draft, which is well-stocked with potential first-round QBs.

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