Chris Simms: Patriots' Mac Jones influenced by Bailey Zappe this offseason

NFL analyst Chris Simms has offered yet another interesting take regarding New England Patriots quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. 

"Not surprised to hear that Mac’s hanging around the facility, especially in a year like this," Simms said during an edition of "Pro Football Talk Live," as shared by Adam London of NESN. "And, you know, there’s a backup that gets thrown into the conversation with his name quite often. I’m sure every now and then it wakes him up in the middle of the night. He’s like, 'Bailey Zappe — OK, I gotta get to work.' Psycho starting quarterbacks, that’s how they think. That became a thing this year, too. I’m sure he’s going, 'Wait, Bailey, is he here? He’s not here? Good, I’m going into the facility. I’m going to get a few hours on him.'" 

Simms specifically was referencing how ESPN's Mike Reiss explained in a piece published Sunday that "Jones has been a daily presence at Gillette Stadium — using the workout facilities and Socios.com Fieldhouse to throw — one of a small handful of players who has stayed in the region for the majority of the offseason." 

Some may remember that it was Simms who reported back in January how Jones upset head coach Bill Belichick by seeking counsel from outside the organization when the team's offense was struggling during this past season. 

Since Simms' January story generated headlines, Jones' name has repeatedly been mentioned in trade rumors up through last week, when Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio said that Belichick had "shopped" the 2021 first-round draft pick this offseason. 

Others have refuted Florio's claim, and a new report suggested at least some Patriots players who may or may not have wanted Zappe to start over a healthy Jones last fall are now "not happy" about the ongoing trade whispers. 

Unless the Patriots make an unexpected move for somebody such as Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson, it's believed Jones and Zappe will compete for the starting job this summer. 

"It’s all the competitive, good culture-building things you need," Simms added in his latest comments on the subject. "Yes, it does give Bill Belichick and the rest of the group more confidence, too, in that, 'Hey, my guy’s here working.' That starts to filter through the building and filter to the locker room and players start doing it, too."