It is seeming less and less likely that Mac Jones will start under center on Sunday versus the Steelers. If you’ve followed the news for the last week, you might be nervous. Mac missed Patriots practice on Monday and Tuesday with a back injury. He was back at practice on Wednesday, but was out once again on Thursday with an unknown “illness”. Whether that is COVID or not, when coupled with the back issue this becomes a question mark. Will Mac Jones be able to go on Sunday? Bill Belichick is as incognito as they come in the NFL so we really have no idea. Frankly, I would not bet on seeing Mac on Sunday but who knows. Is there a chance we see Brian Hoyer or Bailey Zappe: Patriots Starter?
Who would start if Mac is unable to?
Option 1: The Conservative Route
Knowing Bill, if we don’t see QB1 on Sunday, odds are we’re going to get depth chart QB2 in Brian Hoyer. Yuck. While Brian Hoyer probably throws a better ball than me, it probably isn’t by much. His best years were in Cleveland (2014) where he threw for 3,300 yards and in Houston (2015), throwing for 19 touchdowns. That was over seven years ago and even then he wasn’t that good. Some might say that being a career backup QB in the NFL is the best job in America. While that may be true, it doesn’t change the fact that no-one has ever said “Finally! Brian Hoyer’s coming on! Let’s see what he can do!” Because you know what he’s going to do. He likely won’t make any mistakes, but he likely won’t do anything fun or impressive.
Hoyer was an excellent backup under Tom while he was here because apart from 2008, Tom never went down. He’s not good, he’s not bad, he’s just Brian Hoyer. He’ll probably make a few dump off passes to running backs in the flat, hit a few guys on a basic slant, and go 15-26. I don’t mean to hate on the guy too hard but I just don’t really care to see him. If the Patriots are going to lose, at least make it fun. I’m sure he’s a great guy. Just an absolute stand up gentleman. He’d probably shovel your driveway or let you borrow some salt for your walk in the Winter. But I just do not want to ever see him on a football field. I just don’t even like looking at him.
Option 2: The Fun Risk!
Just because he’s #3 on the depth chart, doesn’t mean that Bailey Zappe couldn’t leap over Brian Hoyer to take the majority of snaps if Mac misses Sunday’s contest in PA. Here’s hoping he does. In case you didn’t know, Bailey Zappe holds the FCS and FBS record for most passing yards and most passing TD’s in a single season. Yes, you read that right. The Patriots THIRD STRING quarterback threw for more yards and touchdowns than anyone in college football ever. Granted, it was at Western Kentucky. But this should not take away from the fact that that is still a pretty impressive stat.
His preseason numbers and performance were not incredibly impressive. He saw more snaps than Mac or Hoyer combined and threw for 462 yards, one touchdown, and three picks. He completed 63.4% of his 71 passes and while he didn’t look incredible, at least he’s not Brian Hoyer. I cannot reiterate enough how much I dislike Brian Hoyer. Please. Anyone but Brian Hoyer. And if you have this young gunslinger in Bailey Zappe on your bench, why not give him a shot?
What do the Patriots have to lose by giving Bailey Zappe a chance if Mac is out? Could we see Bailey Zappe: Patriots Starter?