The struggling New England Patriots are shaking up the offense for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, the Patriots are benching starting quarterback Mac Jones and starting Bailey Zappe. Howe added that the Patriots even have some plays for third-stringer Malik Cunningham.
Zappe has made appearances in four games this year. The 24-year-old took over in garbage time in the club’s Week 4 and Week 5 blowout losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints, respectively.
Bill Belichick curiously pulled Jones in favor of Zappe for the Pats’ final drive in their Week 10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Zappe threw a game-sealing interception on that drive.
Belichick also benched Jones for Zappe in last week’s road game against the New York Giants, which the Patriots lost 10-7 after kicker Chad Ryland missed a game-tying field goal in the waning seconds.
Zappe has struggled in the limited playing time he’s seen this year, completing just 19 of 39 pass attempts 158 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. Zappe played surprisingly well last year, winning both his starts with Jones sidelined to injury.
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In four game appearances last year, Zappe completed an impressive 70.7 percent of pass attempts for 781 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Given Jones’ struggles (2,120 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions), and Belichick’s game of musical chairs at QB, it was obviously only a matter of time until the 2021 first-rounder got benched.
