USATSI
Mac Jones returned to the field for the Patriots Monday night, making his first start since leaving Week 3 with a sprained ankle. It did not last long. The former first-round draft pick, who fought his way out of the gate against the Bears, received a chorus of boos from the crowd at Gillette Stadium after throwing an interception in the second quarter. On New England’s next drive, Jones was immediately benched in favor of rookie backup Bailey Zappe, who responded with an immediate touchdown drive to ignite the offense.
Zappe, 23, has become something of a fan favorite and leaguewide sensation in his freshman year with the Patriots. In Week 4, veteran backup Brian Hoyer took over from a concussion while replacing Jones. Western Kentucky’s fourth-round product, which took over under middle in Week 4, showed composure and efficiency in back-to-back wins as an intermediate starter. Jones, on the other hand, appeared hesitant in the bag on his first snaps since his ankle injury, finishing game 3-of-6 for 13 yards and a pick on Monday.
Jones was officially pulled out of the game when there was just over 11 minutes left in the first half. After a relatively promising debut in 2021 as the team’s first full-time player, he has now thrown just two touchdowns compared to six interceptions a year. Zappe, on the other hand, was sharp off the bench and helped draw New England to three points behind the Bears thanks to his first drive.
Jones had reportedly taken the majority of practice repeaters leading up to Monday’s game, but Patriots coach Bill Belichick previously left the door open for Zappe to remain the team’s starting QB even after Jones has fully recovered.