2023 has not been kind to the New England Patriots. At 2-8, the Patriots find themselves in last place in the AFC and firmly in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. While many things have gone wrong for the Patriots this season, quarterback play has been their biggest issue. With that said, Bill Belichick has not yet named the starting quarterback for Week 12.
The Patriots were on bye in Week 11 after failing to record a touchdown when they faced the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL’s Frankfurt Games at Deutsche Bank Park. Quarterback Mac Jones was benched late in the game following a costly fourth-quarter interception that ended a 60-yard drive.
Backup quarterback Bailey Zappe stepped in to relieve Jones of his duties but he threw an interception on the very next drive, effectively ending the game.
Regardless of who Belichick chooses to start in Week 12, offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s job remains the same. "For me, I basically get everybody ready to play," O’Brien said, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. "At the end of the day, Bill [Belichick] will make that decision at some point and we’ll go from there," O’Brien added.
In 10 starts this season, Jones has as many interceptions (10) as he does touchdowns (10). Zappe hasn’t fared much better in his limited playing time this season, completing 10 of his 25 pass attempts for 104 scoreless yards and an interception in three games.
Belichick could also choose to roll with quarterback Malik Cunningham, who was waived by the Patriots earlier this season and signed to the practice squad shortly thereafter.
