FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick plans to hold a decision on his starting quarterback until gameday.
“Will let you know on Sunday,” Belichick told reporters Tuesday morning, when pressed about whether he’ll stick with starter Mac Jones or turn to backup Bailey Zappe or No. 3 Will Grier.
Jones was benched late in the fourth quarter of a 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 12. The Patriots had a bye this past week. Belichick and the Pats will face the NY Giants Sunday at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford.
Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien said Monday that Jones was still taking first-unit reps in practice but noted that the decision will ultimately be up to Belichick.
“Mac took the first-team reps. Bailey rotated in there. Will Grier rotated in there,” O’Brien said. “For me, I basically get everybody ready to play,” he said when asked if Jones was still the team’s starter. “At the end of the day, Bill (Belichick) will make that decision at some point and we’ll go from there.”
“It will be based on what I think is best for the team,” Belichick said of his QB decision. “…I’ve told all the players the same thing: be ready to go. So hopefully they will be.”
The Patriots are wallowing in last place in the AFC East with a record of 2-8 and look to be headed for the worst season since Belichick’s first with the Patriots when they finished 5-11 in 2000.
New England ranks 31st in the league with an average of just 14.1 points per game.
–Field Level Media