Bailey Zappe reportedly took majority of QB reps at Wednesday’s practice, Patriots plan to start him
It seems like a shakeup at the position is on the horizon.
MORE PATRIOTS
While Bill Belichick hasn’t named the Patriots’ starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Chargers, one play-caller reportedly took most of the reps during Wednesday’s practice.
Bailey Zappe was the quarterback for most of practice on Wednesday, according to The Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed. This comes after Mac Jones’s second straight week being benched for Zappe.
Additionally, the Patriots are “preparing” Zappe to be the team’s starting quarterback on Sunday, according to The Athletic‘s Jeff Howe.
Reports out of Foxborough during the open portion of Wednesday’s practice also said Zappe took most of the quarterback snaps, and that Jones didn’t have any quarterback reps during the media availability portion. Instead, he stood behind while Zappe threw.
With just four days until New England’s matchup against Los Angeles, it’s notable that the starting quarterback to this point reportedly didn’t take many reps during the team’s first practice of the week.
It seems like a shakeup at the position is on the horizon.
It’s certainly a possibility as Kyed also said a source told him that quarterback/wide receiver Malik Cunningham could play some quarterback on Sunday. Cunningham also reportedly received snaps at quarterback during the media availability portion of practice. If Zappe does indeed start against the Chargers, perhaps Cunningham would back him up.
Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien said during his Tuesday press conference Cunningham has primarily practiced as a receiver. He added that the former college quarterback has received reps at the position on a scout team, though.
A fresh face starting under center for the Patriots would be warranted. Jones’s 36.5 quarterback rating this season is the 28th-worst in the NFL. He has two more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (10) this season and has been benched in four separate games through 11 games.
Zappe hasn’t been much better in relief of Jones this year, though. He’s thrown an interception in each of the last two games. He has yet to record a touchdown and owns a 19.9 quarterback rating over his four outings.
Cunningham has only played once for New England this year. His only appearance came in Week 6 against the Raiders when he was the Patriots’ backup quarterback ahead of Zappe and Will Grier. He did play two snaps at quarterback in that game.
Grier could be another potential name to watch for in a backup capacity behind Zappe on Sunday. He reportedly re-signed to New England’s practice squad on Tuesday, but has not played a snap this season.
The Patriots have options to piece something different together at the position if they indeed choose to start Zappe ahead of Jones against the Chargers.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com