New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Patriots QB Bailey Zappe replaces Mac Jones

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 26, 2023 3:26 PM ET

After New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones floundered against the New York Giants, the Patriots saw enough and replaced him with backup Bailey Zappe at the start of the second half.

Zappe immediately engineered an 11-play, 60-yard drive that resulted in a seven-yard TD run by running back Rhamondre Stevenson, tying the game at 7-7. On the drive, the second-year QB completed 6-of-6 passes for 38 yards.

Bailey Zappe is now in at QB for the Patriots

:FOX pic.twitter.com/VyezsirRGd
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 26, 2023

11 plays and a @dreeday32 TD!

: #NEvsNYG on FOX pic.twitter.com/QR97JjiTrN
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 26, 2023

Jones has struggled throughout the season. Entering Week 12, he had completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 10 TDs, 10 interceptions and a below-average 40.4 QBR. Against the Giants, he went 12-of-21 for 89 yards and two picks.

Zappe has only posted an 18.4 QBR this season, but it's unsurprising the Patriots made the switch since Jones kept turning the ball over.

It'll be interesting to see if the Patriots go back to Jones after this game or stick with Zappe. New England is 2-8, and it's clear the former first-round pick is no longer viewed as the future of the franchise.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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