The Patriots are sticking with Mac Jones.
The embattled third-year quarterback started Sunday’s game against the Giants, though NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported fellow signal-caller Bailey Zappe is expected “to be in the mix.”
Jones, 25, led the Patriots out for warmups before Sunday’s game.
Prior to the Week 12 matchup, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick had not announced who would start under center amid Jones’ struggles this season.
“I’ve told all the players the same thing — be ready to go. So hopefully they will be,” Belichick told reporters Tuesday.
Jones and Zappe, 24, split the starting reps at practice this week, per The Boston Herald.
Jones, who was benched for the third time this season in a Week 9 loss to the Colts in Germany, was asked earlier in the week if he would be starting against the Giants.
“I hope so, That’s the plan, I think,” Jones said, according to NESN.
The former Alabama product also told the media he had “good conversations” with Belichick this week despite speculations he would be dropped to third-string behind Zappe and Will Grier, who was waived Saturday
Zappe took over for Jones for the final drive in Germany, where he threw an interception.
The Patriots hold one of the worst records in the league (2-8) and have struggled to produce on offense under Jones, averaging just 14.1 points per game.
Jones has struggled to replicate the magic of his rookie season in 2021.
At the time, the 15th overall pick played in all 17 games, tallying 3,801 yards for 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions
Jones has thrown for 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season.
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