Adrian Phillips doesn't name Mac Jones Patriots' starting QB

New England Patriots safety Adrian Phillips may have said plenty without saying much of anything about the club's quarterback situation. 

As shared by Coral Smith of the league's website, Phillips was asked during an NFL Network appearance if Mac Jones is cemented as the club's starting quarterback over 2022 fourth-round draft pick Bailey Zappe heading into training camp. 

"Man, you're trying to get me in trouble," Phillips interestingly responded. "One thing I'll say, and pretty much the only thing I'll say is that I'm not in the meetings with them, so I don't know what's going on over there, but I will say that Mac is competing, all those guys are competing, and we're going to ride with whoever's out there."

Drama hovered over the Patriots for much of the offseason regarding the alleged fractured relationship between Jones and head coach Bill Belichick. It remains unclear if Belichick "shopped" Jones to other teams before this year's draft, but it was thought throughout the spring that Zappe would receive a chance to at least make life a little uncomfortable for the 2021 first-round draft choice this summer. 

Things seemingly changed last month, though, when NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated noted that Jones appeared to be the undisputed Patriots starter over Zappe during minicamp. While tight end Hunter Henry recently spoke as if Jones is his QB1, Phillips chose his words more carefully. 

"That's a decision that's up to (Belichick) and those guys on [the] offensive side, but we're rocking with [Jones] either way and we're just kind of worried about the defensive side," Phillips added about who will be under center when New England opens the regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 10. 

Belichick reportedly could find his seat noticeably warm by Christmas if Jones struggles this fall with Bill O'Brien serving as his offensive coordinator. Then again, Phillips indicated that Jones's name is merely penciled in atop the depth chart as of the middle of July.