The latest look at the Patriots’ in-practice quarterback battle
On Tuesday the New England Patriots held their first practice of the week, as they get ready to face the New York Giants this Sunday. This week’s practices are a bit more under the spotlight than usual, with both head coach Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien suggesting over the last few days that practice performance this week will dictate who starts at quarterback this Sunday.
Last week’s lone practice seemed to offer a good look. During the lone walkthrough period open to the media, Mac Jones took the only starting reps, with Bailey Zappe and Will Grier rotating in behind him.
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There were no team reps open to the media during Tuesday’s session. The one period the media watched besides stretching was positional drills, with quarterbacks throwing to individual wide receivers against air. There was no offensive formations, no play calls, just a single wide receiver running a single route for the QB to throw the ball to.
During this period Jones threw first, making two throws. He was followed by Zappe, who threw two himself. The two went back-and-forth, each throwing two to four passes at a time. In the end Jones slightly out-repped Zappe, but by just a pass or two. Grier stood off to the side throughout the period.
It’s important to remember that was just one low-intensity, five(ish) minute period of a two-hour practice. It’s impossible to draw a definitive conclusion from just that window. At the same time, it certainly look like there may be a competition between Jones and Zappe this week, as the coaching staff has suggested.
One other observation from that drill – there were a number of drops. Multiple wide receivers dropped passes coming from both quarterbacks. It certainly looked like a group that was shaking off the rust coming back from the bye week.
As for the rest of the team, Trent Brown and Ty Montgomery returned to the field after missing last week’s session. That meant the team had perfect attendance on Tuesday. The first injury report of the week will be released on Wednesday.
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Bill O'Brien shared an important piece of information about the Patriots' quarterback decision
Getting players ready
Jun 12, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien works with the team at the Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Right away, O’Brien was asked who the team plans on starting on Sunday. He answered the question by giving his role in the process.
“For me, I basically get everybody ready to play,” he explained. “So what we try to do is, every week, regardless of this week, two weeks ago, three weeks ago, get Mac ready to play, get Bailey ready to play. That’s what we do. And so at the end of the day, Bill [Belichick] will make that decision at some point and we’ll go from there. But I do believe that we have to continue like we do all the time, to earn it on the practice field.”
A later answer from O’Brien made it sound like there will be more chances for Zappe and Grier to earn a shot at the starting job in practice. Reflecting on the Wednesday session, O’Brien told reporters “the other day at practice, Mac took the first team reps, Bailey rotated in there, Will Grier rotated in there.”
“I’ve said this and I know that people may scoff at this, but – one of the reasons why I really enjoy coaching here is you have to earn it on the practice field,” O’Brien added. “And you earn it on the practice field by quality reps.”
Who makes the decision?
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien (L) and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots look on in the fourth quarter of their game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 21-17. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
While answering a question about whether or not Malik Cunningham has earned more playing time (at quarterback or elsewhere) in practice, O’Brien made note of who any personnel decisions come down to. “I think assistant coaches make recommendations and head coaches make decisions,” O’Brien said, in regards to personnel.
Since O’Brien was hired back in January, there have been questions about how autonomously he’d be allowed to run the offense, after Belichick’s increased involvement on that side of the ball last year. That question has popped up from time to time throughout the season, like when rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas was seemingly benched in September after a Week 2 fumble.
This quote from O’Brien seems to give a pretty clear answer to that concept. While O’Brien gives his input, Belichick has the final say on who is and isn’t on the field. There’s no reason to think that would change for the team’s looming quarterback decision.
O’Brien’s recommendation
Aug 1, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien checks a flip card during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
O.K., so O’Brien makes the recommendations on personnel to Belichick, who makes the final decision as head coach. In this case, what is/will O’Brien’s recommendation be?
“I really believe this and I think this is important to say – I think that anything that’s spoken about within the organization in football [operations] – this is just me – stays within the organization, within the staff,” O’Brien replied when asked that question. “I definitely appreciate the question and I know why you would ask the question. But I think that anything that’s spoken about between myself, the quarterbacks, Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft, whatever, stays in the in the organization. I have a strong belief in that.”
“I’m speaking for myself. I don’t know if everybody feels that way in this organization, that’s not my job. I just know that I think it’s important to be that way,” O’Brien added, when asked how he squares that belief with the interests of the fans on the outside. “I do think there’s nothing more important when it comes to the outside than the fans. And I know the fans are really concerned about our team and want us to win. I can just tell you that we’re doing everything we can to turn this thing around.”
Where does Mac Jones stand?
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 08: New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots look on during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
In speculation about O’Brien’s recommendation and the team’s decision, don’t rule out a return to the starting role for Jones. O’Brien spoke highly of the 2021 first-round pick on Monday, specifically when asked about the context of Jones’ issues last week against the Colts.
“Everything’s fixable. I think at times Mac has played really well. I think that’s what we have to remember at times this year Mac has played really well,” O’Brien said. He even hinted at future opportunities for Jones, saying “I don’t believe in yips or anything like that. Mac has played well. Mac will play well again.”
In the same answer O’Brien also went beyond the quarterback position when talking about what went wrong for team in Germany. “I also think that it’s really important to point out that there’s ten other guys on the field and everybody’s got to play better. And there’s coaches on the sideline. We all have to coach better. That’s that’s the truth,” he added.
What did we learn?
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 22: New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien speaks with Mac Jones #10 and Bailey Zappe #4 during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Based on O’Brien’s Monday comments, it does seem like the Patriots are going to open up the quarterback reps in practice, and give more looks to Zappe and Grier along with Jones. All three seem to be candidates to start.
At the same time, it doesn’t seem like Jones will be outright stripped of the starting job. There still may be a chance for him to hold off Zappe and Grier this week, and beyond. It also seems like the coaching staff is viewing the issues at quarterback in the context of the entire offense.
The next clues on the position will likely come on Tuesday. Belichick is scheduled to speak Tuesday morning, with the team practicing later in the afternoon. If any of practice beyond the early stretching period is open to the media (usually that’s all that is open), it will be another chance to see what the quarterback rotation looks like.
