Dan Patrick reports Patriots are 'split' on Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe

Well-respected sports talk host Dan Patrick chose an interesting time to repeat a story regarding New England Patriots quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. 

"I do think that locker room is split," Patrick said during "The Dan Patrick Show," per Khari Thompson of Audacy. "Somebody who used to play for the Patriots -- I asked, 'Could you find out how that feels in the locker room?' When he came back to me probably four days later, he said, 'There's a lot of support for Bailey Zappe.'" 

Retired longtime Patriots safety Devin McCourty generated headlines when he made it known in March that some teammates wanted Zappe to remain under center last fall even after Jones was cleared to return from a high-ankle sprain. 

It's been quite an interesting offseason as it pertains to headlines related to Jones. He allegedly angered head coach Bill Belichick by seeking outside help when the New England offense was struggling during the 2022 campaign, but it was later reported that the 2021 first-round draft pick "has universal support in the locker room." The situation took a new turn this week, though, after rumors surfaced stating that Belichick has "shopped" Jones to other teams. 

Multiple in-the-know individuals have poured cold water over the "shopped" claim. 

"But that doesn't mean they're ready to turn the team over to Bailey Zappe," Patrick continued during the segment. "Bailey Zappe was a great college quarterback, put up a lot of yards there. But you spent the 15th pick in the first round on Mac Jones. You can't whiff on that."

It is widely believed the Patriots won't make a move for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson while he's on the non-exclusive franchise tag even though New England legend Rob Gronkowski raised some eyebrows when he said this week that Jackson could "be a good fit" for Belichick. Instead, Jones and Zappe will likely compete for the starting job while working under new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien.