1 year, 1 month ago

Patriots will come out of their bye week with an eye on the future for Bill Belichick and Mac Jones

For now, the New England Patriots need to figure out who will play quarterback when they return from the bye week. With the team on track to miss the playoffs for the third time in four seasons since Tom Brady defected to Tampa Bay, Bill Belichick’s job is at stake. Belichick has deflected questions about his future with his usual dismissiveness, saying after the 10-6 loss to Indianapolis in Germany on Sunday: “Well, I just do the best I can every day.” The uninspired loss to the Colts was the Patriots’ third defeat in a row and it comes during a part of the schedule – against similarly lackluster Washington, Indianapolis and on Nov. 26 against the 2-8 New York Giants — that was supposed to be a chance to move up in the standings. Instead, New England is last in the AFC and 2-8 for the first time since 2000, Belichick’s first season with the team. Under his third offensive coordinator in as many seasons, Jones has been even worse this year, throwing only 10 touchdowns to go with 10 interceptions, including what he admitted was a “terrible throw” against Indianapolis on Sunday when he short-armed a pass to tight end Mike Gesicki, who was open in the end zone with the Patriots down by four late in the fourth quarter.

Germany Team Play Season Nfl Patriots New England Indianapolis Brady Belichick Zappe Quarterback Jones seasons zappe come mac team yards future season week quarterback jones play belichick eye patriots bill bye

History of this topic

2 weeks, 3 days ago

Patriots’ coaches enter bye week confident Drake Maye can be a franchise quarterback

Associated Press

— Drake Maye’s arrival in New England coincided with a wholesale reset for the Patriots franchise following the departure of coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Mac Jones this past offseason. “I’m just trying to take it one day at a time, one game at a time,” Maye said this week. “Hopefully, the work that we’re putting in and the product …

9 months, 1 week ago

Patriots agree to trade QB Mac Jones to the Jaguars for a 6th-round draft pick, AP source says

Associated Press

Booed and benched the past two years in New England, quarterback Mac Jones is headed home to become a backup. The Patriots and new coach Jerod Mayo agreed Sunday to trade Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round pick in next month’s NFL draft, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. The person spoke to The Associated …

11 months, 4 weeks ago

Chad Ryland’s 56-yard field goal sends Patriots past Broncos 26-23 as Denver’s playoff hopes dim

Associated Press

DENVER — Bailey Zappe had a feeling this would be the New England Patriots’ night when he coughed up the football at his 5-yard line on his very first snap and his defense bailed him out by keeping the Denver Broncos out of the end zone. “It kind of nullifies everything that happened,” Zappe said after helping the Patriots deliver …

1 year ago

Patriots’ victory over Steelers shows support for embattled Belichick after 5-game losing streak

Associated Press

With all of Bill Belichick’s accomplishments over two decades in New England, he’s never pulled this off before. “I just feel good we could get it done for Bill and the rest of the coaches,” safety Jabrill Peppers told ESPN following the 21-18 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. Because it’s on us as players to go out …

1 year ago

Bailey Zappe throws for 3 TDs, Patriots damage Steelers’ playoff hopes with 21-18 win

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — The wins used to come so easy and so often for David Andrews early in his career with the New England Patriots, the veteran center barely noticed them. The defense got the stops when necessary and New England ended a five-game losing streak while damaging Pittsburgh’s increasingly brittle playoff hopes. Ezekiel Elliott had 140 yards from scrimmage — …

1 year ago

Bailey Zappe can’t provide Patriots with spark; new QB gets blanked by Chargers

Associated Press

— The Patriots were hoping for a spark courtesy of Bailey Zappe. The quarterback switch that’s been a topic de jour in recent weeks saw the Patriots produce more of the same with Zappe’s final stat line in a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers resembling the numbers that led to coach Bill Belichick pivoting away from Mac Jones. …

1 year ago

Chargers’ future is unclear and so is who’ll play quarterback for the Patriots

LA Times

Patriots quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe warm up during practice Wednesday. Although it appears too late to salvage their season — and perhaps save Staley’s job — the Chargers have an excellent chance to double-down defensively this weekend against a New England team that has a quarterback controversy. Asked Wednesday who he was preparing to defend, Staley answered, “All …

1 year ago

Patriots may be the worst team in the NFL and Bill Belichick may no longer have the answers

New York Times

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Bill Belichick was done. Bill Belichick Live Postgame Press Conference: https://t.co/gpm9zzq8YC — New England Patriots November 26, 2023 The 71-year-old coach exited down a tunnel and took a right turn past the football field at MetLife Stadium, where his New England Patriots had just lost 10-7 to a backup, undrafted rookie quarterback and a New York …

1 year ago

Patriots bench Jones for Zappe in loss to Giants: Where New England goes from here

New York Times

The New England Patriots quarterback situation went from bad to worse after both starter Mac Jones and backup Bailey Zappe, who replaced Jones in the second half, threw interceptions in Sunday’s 10-7 loss to the New York Giants. GO DEEPER Buckley: Patriots put Mac Jones in position to take the blame but not to succeed Patriots will keep slogging with …

1 year, 1 month ago

Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe or Will Grier? Patriots’ midweek QB competition isn’t what they need

New York Times

— Bill Belichick knew the questions were coming. He had to after he benched his starting quarterback, Mac Jones, for a third time this season, then left for the bye weekend with the most important question facing his New England Patriots still unresolved. Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien said all three quarterbacks on the roster — Jones, Bailey Zappe and Will …

1 year, 1 month ago

Belichick refuses to shed light on starting QB decision for Patriots

Associated Press

Patriots coach Bill Belichick declined to reveal his starting quarterback when talking to reporters Tuesday morning, repeating only that all of his players should be prepared when New England comes out of its off week to face the New York Giants on Sunday. “I’ve told all the players the same thing: Be ready to go,” Belichick said. Asked if he …

1 year, 1 month ago

Jonathan Taylor runs for early TD and Colts hold off Patriots 10-6 in Germany

Associated Press

FRANKFURT, Germany — Jonathan Taylor ran for a first-quarter touchdown and Mac Jones threw a crucial interception in the fourth quarter and the Indianapolis Colts held on for a 10-6 win over New England Patriots in Germany on Sunday. Trailing 10-6 late in the fourth quarter, Jones drove the Patriots inside the red zone but was intercepted by Julian Blackmon …

1 year, 1 month ago

Patriots bench Mac Jones in final moments of loss to Colts in Germany: Is trust gone?

New York Times

The Patriots’ season went from bad to worse in a 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt, Germany, as New England benched starter Mac Jones for Bailey Zappe in the final moments of the game. Here’s what you need to know: Zappe, who last played in Week 5, entered the game with 1:52 remaining after Jones threw an interception …

1 year, 1 month ago

Patriots look to build on offensive performance with some of NFL’s most generous defenses up next

Associated Press

— The seat under Bill Belichick isn’t as warm as it seemed just a week ago. “We moved the ball, we scored points, we changed field position.” It’s the kind of efficiency that New England will look to continue to cash in on over the next three games. “It just builds confidence and we’ve got to keep it rolling.” The …

1 year, 2 months ago

Mac Jones’ late TD pass lifts Patriots over Bills 29-25; Bill Belichick is 3rd coach with 300 wins

Associated Press

— Bill Belichick will wait for another day to talk about the latest milestone win of his coaching career. Mac Jones threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Mike Gesicki with 12 seconds remaining to lift the New England Patriots to a 29-25 win over the Bills, making Belichick the third coach in NFL history with 300 regular-season victories. “We’ll worry …

1 year, 2 months ago

Patriots QB Mac Jones offers belief with game-winning drive in enormous upset of Bills

New York Times

— In the quiet of the offseason, New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones would occasionally fire up some footage from the opportunities missed, the ones that kept him up at night. But it’s also fair to note that this was exactly how the Patriots envisioned Jones would run the offense, trusting coordinator Bill O’Brien to scheme up opportunities for yards …

1 year, 2 months ago

The Pats, at 1-5 for 1st time under Belichick, taking small improvements back to the drawing board

Associated Press

— Over three weeks and three straight losses, Mac Jones has walked into the Patriots team facility ready to face the kind of truths only game film can reveal. Yet as much as the season seems to be slipping way with each passing game, it hasn’t affected the third-year quarterback’s resolve to help his team find a way out of …

1 year, 2 months ago

Raiders hold off Patriots 21-17 after losing QB Garoppolo to back injury

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Hanging over a game in which several ex-New England Patriots played key roles in a victory against their former team was the loss of Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a back injury. Raiders coach Josh McDaniels didn’t have an update on Garoppolo after Las Vegas’ 21-17 win Sunday, and the availability of the oft-injured quarterback …

1 year, 2 months ago

Mac Jones benched again while Patriots suffer worst home shutout in franchise history

Associated Press

— The New England Patriots gave up. Down 24-0 early in the second half, hearing boos at home like they used to on the road, a week after the worst loss of coach Bill Belichick’s career, with quarterback Mac Jones on his way to the bench for the second straight game, the Patriots punted the ball away on a fourth-and-3 …

1 year, 3 months ago

Patriots are clear on their issues and will try to avoid the second 0-3 start of Belichick’s tenure

Associated Press

— It’s not quite time to panic in New England. Their 24-17 loss to Miami dropped them to 0-2, their first such start since 2001 — Belichick’s second season in New England. New England’s ensuing offensive series after Schooler’s block quickly moved to the Miami 22 before a pass by Jones intended for DeVante Parker was intercepted by Xavien Howard. …

1 year, 11 months ago

Patriots' Mac Jones SLAMMED by Boomer Esiason for facial expressions

Daily Mail

There are those who see Mac Jones as New England's franchise quarterback, others who think of him as a short-term solution until more capable passer emerges, and then there's 1988 NFL MVP Boomer Esiason, who thinks 'there's a douchiness' to the Patriots signal caller. There are those who see Mac Jones as New England's franchise quarterback, others who think of …

2 years ago

Jones snags lateral on final play, Raiders stun Patriots

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — The New England Patriots decided playing for overtime wasn’t enough. “I felt myself stumble a little backwards, and then I was thinking, ‘Who do I pitch it to?’” Jones grabbed Meyers’ bizarre, unnecessary lateral out of the air, stiff-armed Patriots quarterback Mac Jones to the turf and returned the ball 48 yards for a touchdown, giving the …

2 years ago

Raiders stun Patriots on Chandler Jones’ wild TD on final play; New England left reeling in playoff race

New York Times

In one of the wildest finishes in NFL history, the Raiders defeated the Patriots 30-24 on Sunday in Las Vegas. Here’s what you need to know: On the final play of the game and the scored tied 24-24, Patriots QB Mac Jones handed it off to Rhamondre Stevenson. Raiders edge rusher Chandler Jones snagged the lengthy lateral toss that traveled …

2 years ago

Mac Jones’ enthusiasm, game-planning for Tyquan Thornton, more: 7 thoughts on the Patriots

New York Times

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Prime-time games bring added attention and extra cameras, ones that caught Mac Jones a few times Monday night expressing his frustration with the offense. GO DEEPER How the Patriots notched a much-needed win over the Cardinals despite mounting injuries So as we look back on that game, let’s begin with Jones. If Uche can keep this up, …

2 years ago

Mac Jones, Patriots looking for revenge after Bills’ playoff blowout last season

New York Times

Before the Patriots’ season started, a photo hung inside quarterback Mac Jones’ locker at Gillette Stadium. Bill Belichick Live Press Conference 11/27: https://t.co/WdeVAPQE3P — New England Patriots November 27, 2022 Of course, the Patriots don’t have the same lofty Super Bowl-or-bust expectations as the Bills this season. “We know we’re going to need to play our best game,” Belichick said, …

2 years ago

Patriots still have red-zone issues despite Jones’ big game

Associated Press

— For weeks, concerns about the Patriots have centered on the offense, which has struggled since Mac Jones returned from an ankle injury that forced him to miss three games. Jones threw multiple touchdown passes for the first time this season and went 28 of 39 for a career-high 382 yards and a season-best 119.8 passer rating. “Definitely not the …

2 years, 2 months ago

Buckley: Bailey Zappe unfazed by the moment in win over Lions in first NFL start

New York Times

— It’s too soon for life-sized Bailey Zappe cardboard cutouts to begin popping up at Dunkin’ Donuts locations throughout New England. But there’s no getting around this: Zappe, the fill-in quarterback for the fill-in quarterback who made his first NFL start Sunday, has given the Patriots a reprieve from the malaise that was threatening to consume the season as recently …

2 years, 2 months ago

Rodgers, Crosby’s OT FG lead Packers past Pats, Zappe 27-24

Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers rebounded from a dreadful start and helped the Green Bay Packers spoil Bailey Zappe’s unexpected NFL debut with the New England Patriots. Rodgers threw two second-half touchdown passes and led an overtime drive that resulted in Mason Crosby’s 31-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Packers to a 27-24 victory on Sunday. The …

2 years, 2 months ago

Patriots QB Bailey Zappe a compelling, sympathetic figure in NFL debut: Buckley

New York Times

It apparently wasn’t enough of a jolt to Bailey Zappe’s nervous system that the rookie quarterback’s NFL debut took place as a result of the Patriots finding themselves in one of those perilous “in case of emergency, break glass” situations. Instead, the Patriots’ late-afternoon showdown against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field was barely underway when there arose a …

3 years ago

Patriots out-run Bills in 14-10 win in blustery conditions

Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Linebacker Matt Judon praised the Patriots offense while taking a playful swipe at rookie quarterback Mac Jones. With 40 mph wind gusts placing an emphasis on running the ball, Jones was more than content in being relegated to handoff duty in New England’s 14-10 win over the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. Jones completed just two …

3 years, 1 month ago

Photos: Chargers lose in revenge game against Patriots

LA Times

The Chargers missed out on a chance to avenge their blowout loss to the Patriots in 2020, falling to New England 27-24 at SoFi Stadium on Sunday. Chargers safety Nasir Adderley breaks up a pass intended for New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne in the end zone. New England Patriots safety Adrian Phillips scores on an interception return past …

Patriots will come out of their bye week with an eye on the future for Bill Belichick and Mac Jones

History of this topic

Patriots’ coaches enter bye week confident Drake Maye can be a franchise quarterback

Patriots agree to trade QB Mac Jones to the Jaguars for a 6th-round draft pick, AP source says

Chad Ryland’s 56-yard field goal sends Patriots past Broncos 26-23 as Denver’s playoff hopes dim

Patriots’ victory over Steelers shows support for embattled Belichick after 5-game losing streak

Bailey Zappe throws for 3 TDs, Patriots damage Steelers’ playoff hopes with 21-18 win

Bailey Zappe can’t provide Patriots with spark; new QB gets blanked by Chargers

Chargers’ future is unclear and so is who’ll play quarterback for the Patriots

Patriots may be the worst team in the NFL and Bill Belichick may no longer have the answers

Patriots bench Jones for Zappe in loss to Giants: Where New England goes from here

Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe or Will Grier? Patriots’ midweek QB competition isn’t what they need

Belichick refuses to shed light on starting QB decision for Patriots

Jonathan Taylor runs for early TD and Colts hold off Patriots 10-6 in Germany

Patriots bench Mac Jones in final moments of loss to Colts in Germany: Is trust gone?

Patriots look to build on offensive performance with some of NFL’s most generous defenses up next

Mac Jones’ late TD pass lifts Patriots over Bills 29-25; Bill Belichick is 3rd coach with 300 wins

Patriots QB Mac Jones offers belief with game-winning drive in enormous upset of Bills

The Pats, at 1-5 for 1st time under Belichick, taking small improvements back to the drawing board

Raiders hold off Patriots 21-17 after losing QB Garoppolo to back injury

Mac Jones benched again while Patriots suffer worst home shutout in franchise history

Patriots are clear on their issues and will try to avoid the second 0-3 start of Belichick’s tenure

Patriots' Mac Jones SLAMMED by Boomer Esiason for facial expressions

Jones snags lateral on final play, Raiders stun Patriots

Raiders stun Patriots on Chandler Jones’ wild TD on final play; New England left reeling in playoff race

Mac Jones’ enthusiasm, game-planning for Tyquan Thornton, more: 7 thoughts on the Patriots

Mac Jones, Patriots looking for revenge after Bills’ playoff blowout last season

Patriots still have red-zone issues despite Jones’ big game

Buckley: Bailey Zappe unfazed by the moment in win over Lions in first NFL start

Rodgers, Crosby’s OT FG lead Packers past Pats, Zappe 27-24

Patriots QB Bailey Zappe a compelling, sympathetic figure in NFL debut: Buckley

Patriots out-run Bills in 14-10 win in blustery conditions

Photos: Chargers lose in revenge game against Patriots

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