Coming off their bye week, the New England Patriots have no announced a starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.
Bill Belichick is keeping mum about his decision, but if the Patriots are following NFL customs, then it appears Mac Jones will start at least one more game.
Jones is scheduled to speak with reporters on Wednesday, the Patriots told the media today.
Mac Jones is scheduled to speak with reporters tomorrow, per the Patriots.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) November 21, 2023
NFL rules require teams to have at least one quarterback speak weekly, and typically it is the starting signal caller.
However, the Patriots had backup Bailey Zappe speak last week with Jones dealing with an injury, so there’s at least a slight chance this is gamesmanship.
Patriots PR announces Mac Jones will speak to the media tomorrow.
Each team is required to have a QB speak each week. It’s an unofficial rule that QB is the starter, but that isn’t always the case. Ex. Zappe spoke last year the week leading up to Jones’ return from an injury.
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) November 21, 2023
Jones has played poorly this season as the Patriots are off to a 2-8 start. A report last week said the 2021 first-round pick had lost “at least 80% of the Patriots’ locker room” and that a “vast majority” of players are “done” with him.
Regardless of who starts this week, it seems increasingly likely New England will target a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, particularly if they maintain a hold on a top-2 pick.