Analyst calls Bill Belichick quarterback decision 'bizarre'

New England head coach Bill Belichick has yet to name a starting quarterback for the Patriots' Week 12 game at the New York Giants – a decision Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio called "bizarre" Friday.

Belichick benched an ineffective Mac Jones – New England's starter for most of the season – late the fourth quarter in a Week 10 loss to the Colts in Germany. The Patriots had their bye in Week 11.

In practices this week, backups Will Grier – who hasn't thrown a regular-season pass since 2019 – and little-used Bailey Zappe received increased reps. 

"His sudden refusal to disclose the name of the team’s starting quarterback seemed a little quirky at first," Florio wrote about Belichick. "A little odd. Now, two days before the 2-8 Patriots take on the 3-8 Giants, Belichick’s stubbornness to name a starter has become bizarre."

According to NBCS Boston's Phil Perry, game preparation has been altered in response to the new quarterback competition and "players [have] turned to side sessions in practice to hone timing/rhythm." 

Mystery surrounding who will start at QB could have a detrimental effect in the locker room. On many NFL teams, the starting signal-caller is a team captain. Jones, who serves as a team captain, said the situation is out of his control.

"A lot of that decision-making is things I can't control, but I can control my attitude and effort," he said earlier this week, per Mike Reese of ESPN.com. "I'm really thankful overall just to be in the NFL and to be playing quarterback. On Thanksgiving, it's a great week to be grateful for a lot of things. To play this game, the game we love, together, that means a lot to me regardless of the situation."

Whether Belichick's strange strategy pays off is anyone's guess. Per oddschecker as of Friday, New England was a 3.5-point favorite.