FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 17: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks on before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
On Sunday the New England Patriots play their final game of the 2023 season against the New York Jets. Quarterback Mac Jones most likely won’t be a part of it.
Jones, a 2021 first-round pick, lost the starting job to Bailey Zappe back in late November. However he had remained the team’s backup quarterback and continued to be active on game days. That changed for the finale.
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Ahead of Sunday’s game the Patriots announced their inactive players for the game. That list included Jones, who is designated as the emergency third quarterback. That means he’ll dress but would only be able to enter the game if both Zappe and new backup Nathan Rourke – who was signed in mid-December – both leave the game due to injury.
For all intents and purposes, Jones is not on the gameday roster. That’s an ominous sign for the 25-year-old, ahead of what is a crucial offseason for both himself and the team.
