3 Patriots Most Likely to Be Inactive Against Eagles on Sunday
By Tyler Maher
2. Bailey Zappe/Matt Corral
Since Belichick hasn’t named a backup quarterback for Mac Jones yet (classic Belichick), we’ll include the two most likely options here in Bailey Zappe and Matt Corral.
Regardless of who ends up behind Jones on the depth chart, however, Jones is probably going to be the only New England QB who plays on Sunday. Like it or not, Jones is the starter and the Pats have committed to him in that role…for now.
If a change is coming, it certainly won’t be in Week 1, especially after Belichick cut every QB on the roster except Jones last week. He’s clearly “the guy” right now, for better or worse, just as he’s been all preseason.
Belichick took a lot of heat last year after swapping Jones and Bailey in a nationally televised Monday Night Football game against the Bears, which had disastrous results and appeared to damage the confidence of both players.
The only way Zappe or Corral ends up in this game is if Jones gets hurt or if the game becomes a total blowout, but even the latter is unlikely. With the Pats playing at home, Belichick probably doesn’t want to rile up the crowd with “Bailey Zappe” chants and start another quarterback controversy.
Accordingly, expect Jones to be under center for all of New England’s snaps on Sunday.