„I’m looking forward to the season here with Mac.”
It didn’t take long for any talk of a potential QB competition in Foxborough to dissipate this summer once training camp commenced.
Despite Bailey Zappe’s solid showing as a mid-season replacement under center for an injured Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer last year, the backup QB was regularly on the outside looking in at first-team snaps once this preseason began.
Granted, some of that was a result of Zappe’s own lackluster play en route to a spot on New England’s practice squad.
But on Monday, Belichick doled out plenty of praise toward Jones for separating himself from Zappe in the early days of camp.
“Mac’s had a really solid spring and camp,” Belichick said on WEEI’s ‘The Greg Hill Show’ when asked about Jones locking down the team’s starting QB spot, adding: “Out there every day, ready to go.
“In excellent physical condition and has made, I’d say, a lot of improvement over the course of spring and training camp in reads, decision making, and timing — getting more timing with the guys he’s throwing to. [Jones] had a good camp, works hard, ready to go. I’m looking forward to the season here with Mac.”
Despite only playing in three total series during preseason action, Jones impressed throughout the summer in Bill O’Brien’s reworked offensive system.
With the Patriots’ new OC drawing up plenty of RPOs (run-pass options), screens, and short passes in the team’s playbook, Jones should benefit from a gameplan tailored to his skillset as a poised, accurate passer in a versatile and varied scheme.
