Latest Reports Suggest Bill Belichick Has Made A Decision In New England Patriots’ QB Controversy

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It’s been a whirlwind 2022 NFL season for the New England Patriots.

The issues began before the season even began. Former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels left to take the head coaching job with the Las Vegas Raiders. Rather than adequately replacing McDaniels, Patriots coach Bill Belichick split the duties between assistants Matt Patricia and Joe Judge.

But neither Judge nor Patricia had any experience coordinating an offense and the result was a unit that reporters called “distressingly bad.”

As it turns out, those reporters were onto something. New England sputtered offensively to start the season and went just 1-2 with second-year quarterback Mac Jones at the helm. Jones suffered a severe ankle injury in a Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and was replaced in the following game by veteran backup Brian Hoyer. Hoyer, however, was injured in the following game against the Packers and replaced by rookie Bailey Zappe.

Zappe has impressed in his two starts since. The Patriots picked up wins against the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns and the Western Kentucky product led them to 33.5 points per game over that span.

That’s sparked a reported quarterback controversy in New England between Jones and Zappe. Though those reports have since been refuted and even recanted by the initial source.

Now it appears we finally have an answer to New England’s future at the quarterback position.

Patriots Reportedly Set To End QB Controversy, Name Mac Jones Starter When He Returns

Jeff P. Howe of The Athletic reports that “when Mac Jones is healthy enough to return to play, he’ll be the starter.”

Not everyone in New England was on board with that decision.

Jones finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting a year ago. He also made the Pro Bowl despite throwing for just 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

For now, at least, his job appears safe in New England and Bill Belichick can finally put the questions to bed.