New England Patriots offensive coordinator Invoice O’Brien spoke with reporters on Tuesday about whether or not benched quarterback Mac Jones might substitute fill-in Bailey Zappe with the 3-11 membership out of postseason rivalry.
“I believe everyone’s gotta be able to play, particularly within the scenario we’re in,” O’Brien insisted, as shared by Karen Guregian of MassLive. “I actually do. I believe that everyone must be able to go. Anyone that’s on the 53-man roster has to exit on the observe discipline and observe nicely and earn a shot to play. That’s whether or not you’re a quarterback, extensive receiver, tight finish, operating again or offensive lineman.”
New England head coach Invoice Belichick pulled Jones from 4 of 11 video games this season amid the membership’s struggles earlier than inserting Zappe atop the depth chart for the previous three contests — a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a 21-18 win on the Pittsburgh Steelers and this previous Sunday’s 27-17 residence defeat in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
It is assumed Zappe will get the nod for the upcoming Sunday night time sport on the 7-7 Denver Broncos.
“You need to be able to go, as a result of should you observe rather well, you’re going to have an actual shot to play,” O’Brien added on Tuesday. “I believe that goes for each place.”
Throughout 11 video games this season, Jones accomplished 64.9% of 345 cross makes an attempt for two,120 yards with 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. To check, Zappe has linked on 60.2% of 123 passes for 719 yards with 4 touchdowns and 4 picks in seven video games and three begins.
Jones reportedly had the help of group proprietor Robert Kraft this previous offseason, and it is broadly believed Kraft might half methods with Belichick as quickly because the NFL’s “Black Monday” after Week 18. The Patriots spent a first-round draft decide on Jones within the spring of 2021, so it is comprehensible Kraft might wish to see the 25-year-old again on the sphere this season over Zappe, a 2022 fourth-round selection.
With that stated, it appears doubtless neither Jones nor Zappe is New England’s long-term reply on the place as retailers comparable to CBS Sports hyperlink the Patriots with USC Trojans star Caleb Williams, Drake Maye of the North Carolina Tar Heels and LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels in up to date mock drafts.