Insider expects QB competition between Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe

Quarterback Mac Jones may remain with the New England Patriots through the summer, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's cemented atop the depth chart this offseason. 

While addressing rumors about the Patriots potentially trading Jones, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote that he believes head coach Bill Belichick "is going to make Jones earn his spot back" and that the door will be "open" for 2022 rookie Bailey Zappe to compete for the starting gig later this year. 

Breer was answering reader questions after it was reported Tuesday that Belichick "shopped" Jones this offseason because the coach was still fuming that the signal-caller supposedly contacted outsiders for ideas on how to fix New England's offense this past season. Specifically, the Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders were named as "potential destinations" for Jones. 

Multiple reporters have since poured cold water over the "shopped" claim. 

"I hit up the teams (Pro Football Talk's) Mike Florio named in the report," Breer said. "A couple told me they hadn’t heard from the Patriots at all. Jones' name did come up in conversation with one, but he wasn’t shopped to that team, per se." 

Breer also noted that "the rumor circulated inside the Patriots facility just before the owners meetings at the end of March" and that "relationships here are in a weird spot." 

Several individuals with inside knowledge of the Patriots have insisted it is essentially guaranteed that New England won't pursue Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson, in part because it's assumed Jackson wants at least $230M in fully guaranteed money. That could leave Jones and Zappe as 1A and 1B on the depth chart when training camp opens. 

Belichick refused to commit to Jones as his QB1 in January and did so again during the annual league meetings, and some Patriots players allegedly favored Zappe over Jones last fall. Whatever is truly happening behind the scenes, it seems New England's quarterback situation will be one to follow over the next handful of months.