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Zolak & Bertrand

Do Bill Belichick’s latest comments indicate a Patriots quarterback competition?

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Patriots head coach Bill Belichick appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday afternoon with Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller. When asked about his impressions of quarterback Mac Jones heading into the season, Bill Belichick’s complimentary answer took a quick turn that may have opened the door for a Patriots quarterback competition:

“Mac has had a good offseason. He he’s one of our offseason award winners. First in, last out of the building, really does a good job of being on top of everything that we’re doing so he can lead from the quarterback position in terms of playcalling and those type of things. Zappe is way ahead of where he was last year obviously, and it’s been good to work with McSorley. He has a little bit of game experience, a little bit of NFL experience, but is still a young player. So, you know, we’ll see how again, how those guys do when the pads come on. But you know, they can all run the offense efficiently. They’re all smart. They all handle what we do so that everybody else can operate efficiently. So we’ll give them a chance to compete and so it goes.”

 

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 19: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks to Mac Jones #10 against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 35-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks to Mac Jones during a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

 

Though Belichicks seemingly left the door open for competition, our own Scott Zolak had a different interpretation of the coach’s commentary…

 

‘I don’t think there’s a quarterback competition’

 

“I think he’s looking look at to see if Zappe could take another step forward and close the gap even more just in case something would falter with Mac and they get out of the gate not to where you think they would be to where they’ve got to make a move. And McSorley’s been around Billy. So there’s some institutional knowledge there, or maybe the gap isn’t so big from [Zappe to McSorely]. We saw McSorley make some throws out here. Now, granted, it’s against fours and fives and threes. I’m just trying to be fair. I don’t think there’s a quarterback competition. I think Mac’s the one, Zappe is the two, McSorley is clearly the three.” 

 

Mac Jones says Patriots' offensive process has been 'normal' under Bill O'Brien

Just how bad was the Patriots’ offensive coaching setup in 2021? Quarterback Mac Jones might have let slip his thoughts.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Patriots held their first open OTA practice of the spring. Jones spoke after practice, and was asked what the process has been like with new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.

  • “It’s been really good. It’s been normal,” Jones told reporters, “I think everything he’s done so far has been really good.”

    Jones referencing the ‘normal’ feel of O’Brien’s offense is certainly worth a comparison to this time last year, when Matt Patricia and Joe Judge were tasked with running the offense, with Bill Belichick overseeing. The result in that setup was a massive step back for Jones and the Patriots as a whole after a promising 2021 season. As Jones continued answering the question, it remained hard to shake the comparative nature between this year and last year.

    “I think the communication is the most important part – and trust. I think it all starts with that when you’re with a new coach,” he continued. “He’s done a great job in controlling the room [I] feel like everyone’s on the same page.”

  • READ MORE:

    — Patriots OTA Day 1 notebook
    — Patriots interested in Hopkins
    — OTA practice takeaways

  • Jones was also asked how much carryover he’s seen in the offense O’Brien is installing to the one he ran at Alabama – where Jones helped teach him the playbook upon his arrival in 2021.

    “Yeah, I mean, I’m not going to get into specifics – give it away,” Jones replied. But I think there’s definitely things like – we talk about lingo. There’s things we both say and it makes sense.”

    For a full recap of the Patriots’ first open OTA practice, check out our recaps here and here.

  • Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

Tom Morgan is the executive producer of the award-winning Zolak & Bertrand show. He got his start in radio as the midday intern in 2010 before joining the show full-time in 2014. A graduate of Northeastern University, Tom has been a lifelong sports fan with a passion for Boston sports that continues to drive him to this day. A native of Cohasset, MA, he enjoys spending time with family, his three brothers and his nephews and nieces. He is a coffee enthusiast who is fluent in the language of Seinfeld quotes. Tom writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.

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