Sep 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline as they take on the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
(Foxboro, MA) – Things are foul in Foxboro.
According to reports, dysfunction reigns supreme for the New England Patriots – just several short years removed from ongoing dominance within the AFC – and routine Super Bowl appearances.
Earlier this week, the Boston Herald reported things are just as bad behind the scenes, as on the field. Quoting a source, the newspaper said “The staff dynamic is completely f—ed.”
Now, a new report suggests the team’s two top quarterbacks have an icy relationship. The Boston Herald’s deep drive into the 2023 squad’s struggles continued Friday with a look at how Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe get along. Stated plainly, they don’t. A source tells the Herald both players “hardly talk,” and that “there definitely isn’t healthy communication in there about trying to win football games.”
Jones in particular entered this season facing a potential turning point in his career. Drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, Jones likely needed to impress this year in order to stay with New England – following a lackluster 2022 campaign. The Herald’s source maintains “the locker room’s confidence in Jones waned significantly,” after New England was spanked at home 34-0.
For his part, Zappe has publicly suggested Jones has supported him: “It’s been good. Both of us want to win games. So, whoever’s out on the field, we’re going to help the other one.”
Zooming out even further, the changes within the QB room could be a minor footnote for the Patriots this upcoming offseason. Rumors have swirled around head coach Bill Belichick – a legend in the game and future Hall of Famer – could be fired. Earlier this year, NBC Boston reported team owner Robert Kraft had decided to part ways with Belichick, after the Patriot’s week 10 loss to the Colts in Germany.
