Foxborough, Massachusetts – In a move that raised eyebrows and sent shockwaves through the football world, the New England Patriots benched quarterback Mac Jones for the second consecutive game during their clash with the New Orleans Saints. The decision to replace Jones came as the Patriots found themselves in a daunting 31-0 deficit. Jones’ performance during the game had been lackluster, completing 12 of 22 passes for 150 yards and contributing two interceptions.
Despite Jones’ recent struggles, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick made it clear after the game that he intended to maintain faith in Jones as the team’s starting quarterback. Belichick remarked, “Yeah, there’s a lot of issues. Certainly it wasn’t just him.”
Jones was replaced by Bailey Zappe in the matchup against the Saints, who, in limited action, attempted only nine passes and completed three for 22 yards.
This marked the second consecutive game in which Jones was removed early from the field. In the prior week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, he had been substituted for Zappe after a similarly disappointing performance that saw him throw for only 150 yards and commit three turnovers.
Coach Belichick, however, expressed his unwavering confidence in Jones during a press conference on Friday, emphasizing that setbacks are an inherent part of the game and highlighting Jones’ mental fortitude.
Mac Jones, a first-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, enjoyed a promising rookie season in which he threw for over 3,800 yards and notched 22 touchdowns. However, his second year in the league has been marked by struggles and an inability to replicate the success of his debut campaign.
The New England Patriots, entering Week 5 with a 1-3 record, have faced a challenging season, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. They currently rank among the NFL’s bottom-tier teams in terms of scoring, averaging just 13.8 points per game. As the Patriots continue to search for answers, all eyes will remain on the quarterback position and Jones’ potential for resurgence.