By Stephen Ur
After an abysmal sophomore season in New England for quarteback Mac Jones, there were questions about who would be the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots headed into the 2023 season – Jones or 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe.
Jones’ 2022 season was so disappointing, he was eventually benched in favor of the former Western Kentucky quarterback. For a while, it looked like Zappe may actually be Bill Belichick’s offense’s new leader.
Now, however, there are reports that “there never appeared to be a true quarterback competition this spring”, according to MassLive.com. Jones has taken all first-team reps during minicamps and OTAs and it seems he’s got his confidence back when it comes to leading the team again.
Perhaps the coaching staff change has something to do with the change in the former Alabama quarterback. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia led the offense for New England in 2022, and they finished 26th in the league in both total yards and yards per game.
The offense is now led by veteran coach Bill O’Brien, who is back for his second stint in New England. He was Tom Brady’s offensive coordinator from 2009-2011. He was also Jones’ offensive coordinator in Alabama during the 2020-2021 season.
The Patriots are still projected to finish fourth in the AFC East behind Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets and a stacked Miami Dolphins team, but one thing we can look forward to is Mac Jones being the New England Patriots starting quarterback Week 1.