It is never an easy decision to make a change at the quarterback position in the NFL, especially during the middle of the season. It is an even tougher decision when the quarterback in question is a young talent that was meant to be the future of the franchise. For the New England Patriots and Mac Jones, they are at a crossroads of making this decision. Will Jones continue as the starter this season or will Bailey Zappe take over?
Watch the NFL in 2023 with Fubo: Start your free trial now!
This season through four games Jones has yet to find his footing. He is 26th out of 32 quarterbacks in Total QBR, 20th among his peers in yards per game (of quarterbacks to start three games) and is tied for the league lead in interceptions (six).
It has been a tough season overall for Jones, who is two years removed from showing flashes of being one of the best young quarterbacks in the league.
Last season Bailey Zappe made an impression in four appearances (two starts), with the team going 2-2 and gaining some rhythm on the offensive end. That is something this team needs right now, a quarterback with some energy and rhythm to guide the Patriots.
In those four appearances, Zappe had 781 yards on 70.7 percent passing accuracy with five touchdowns and three interceptions.
The offense reacted well to Zappe under center, scoring 105 points, including three straight games with 24+ points. This season New England has scored 24 points zero times and has regressed every game, going from 20 to 17 to 15 to three points and putting up a goose egg in Week 4.
Gaining some rhythm, some momentum and seeing what the team might have in Zappe, while letting Jones see the game from the sideline, is just one of the reasons for making a change at quarterback this season.
The other reason is currently playing college football and could be the future of the position for New England. Looking ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft, the quarterback class is one of the most exciting it has been in years. No matter which mock draft you look at, which scouting service you prefer, the consensus is that this year’s class is top notch.
The head of the class is USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who is likely going No. 1 overall, a pick that New England has some stake in. Through five weeks of football New England is tied with the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants for the second-worst record in the league. The Carolina Panthers have the worst overall record and will send that pick to Chicago, giving Chicago the best path to the quarterback of choice in the draft.
New England might have its quarterback of the future in Jones. It might have it in Zappe. It might not have it on the roster today.
The path to the franchise being successful in the near future and long term is playing Zappe, comparing notes with Jones and drafting in the Top 10, whether that is for a quarterback or a piece to facilitate success at the position.
Williams would be the first choice, and then the likes of Drake Maye, Shedeur Sanders, Quinn Ewers, Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix will also be in the mix. Drafting high is the key to getting the quarterback of preference or an elite piece like wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Offensive lineman Olu Fashanu could also make life easier for a refreshed Jones or a newly crowned Zappe next season.
Watch the NFL in 2023 with Fubo: Start your free trial now!
