Bailey Zappe opens up about his relationship with Mac Jones
Bailey Zappe has designs on being the New England Patriots starting quarterback, but the jury is still out on the young signal caller.
The person in Zappe’s way at the moment? Former Alabama Crimson Tide star and first round pick Mac Jones, and with past controversies seemingly amended, it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere.
As the Patriots ready for another season, Zappe spoke with the media regarding his relationship with Hones, where he heaped some praise on the fellow New England quarterback.
“It’s been good,” Zappe said after the Patriots’ final OTA practice, via NESN. “I mean, we’re teammates. We’re together all day, every day. In the QB room together. You know, over these last two years, I feel like both of us have been able to help each other both get better on and off the field.
“I’ve learned a lot from him and, hopefully, I’m kind of helping out with him. Trying to help him learn some stuff. But we’re teammates, we want what’s best for the team — and that’s to win.”
Last season, both Zappe and Jones dealt with the head-scratching move of Bill Belichick handing the keys of the offense over the former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. It worked out as good as everyone thought it was going to, and both quarterbacks suffered because of it.
Now Patricia is in Philadelphia as an assistant with the Eagles, and the Patriots have brought former offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien back to run the show. It’s a move that could do wonders for both Jones and Zappe.
Don’t count out Zappe as it pertains to starting over Jones moving forward either, as Belichick was notably impressed with his play in limited action last season. That’s going into Zappe’s approach for the 2023 season, as he’s preparing like he’s the starting quarterback at the moment.
“Like Coach Bill (Belichick) said at the beginning of the offseason, everybody’s competing for a spot,” Zappe added. “So, that’s the way I’m approaching it.
“Like I said earlier, I’m taking every rep like a game rep. So, trying to get better every day.”
That’s the way Zappe is going to get it done. Nothing is going to be given to him, he’s going to have to earn it.
Will Bailey Zappe unseat Mac Jones as the New England Patriots starting quarterback? It’s unlikely, but stranger things have happened, especially with Bill Belichick-coached teams.