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New England Patriots offensive coordinator Invoice O\u2019Brien 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I believe everyone\u2019s gotta be able to play, particularly within the scenario we\u2019re in,” O\u2019Brien insisted, as shared by Karen Guregian<\/a> of MassLive. “I actually do. I believe that everyone must be able to go. Anyone that\u2019s on the 53-man roster has to exit on the observe discipline and observe nicely and earn a shot to play. That\u2019s whether or not you\u2019re a quarterback, extensive receiver, tight finish, operating again or offensive lineman.”\u00a0<\/p>\n New England head coach Invoice Belichick pulled Jones<\/a> from 4 of 11 video games this season amid the membership’s struggles earlier than inserting\u00a0Zappe<\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n It is assumed Zappe will get the nod for the upcoming Sunday night time sport on the 7-7 Denver Broncos.\u00a0<\/p>\n “You need to be able to go, as a result of should you observe rather well, you\u2019re going to have an actual shot to play,” O\u2019Brien added on Tuesday. “I believe that goes for each place.”\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jones reportedly<\/a> had the help of group proprietor Robert Kraft this previous offseason, and it is broadly believed<\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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<\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n