New England Patriots back-up quarterback Bailey Zappe has sent a warning message to starter Mac Jones ahead of the 2023 season.
It appears to be the case that the Patriots might officially have a quarterback battle on their hands for the season ahead after head coach Bill Belichick did not name Jones as the starter this season.
After being drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Jones had been seen as a good option for Tom Brady's long-term replacement after a stellar college career at Alabama - where he led the Crimson Tide to the National Championship.
Jones followed that up with an impressive rookie season under some tough circumstances with a weakened roster, but struggled this past season in a dysfunctional Patriots offense.
And the reason why Belichick has not backed Jones to be the starter, will likely be because of the emergence of Bailey Zappe.
The fourth round rookie from last years Draft played four games in relief of Jones when injured last season, and performed valiantly under the circumstances.
At time during the season when Jones had returned, some Patriots fans had been vocally asking for Zappe to come in, with Jones struggling throughout the year.
And with the door potentially open for him winning the spot, Zappe has spoken on his desire to earn his role as the starter.
He said: "If my opportunity presents itself, I'm going to take full advantage of it. I'm going to do everything I can to help the team win.
"That's really all I can say from that standpoint. That's coach Belichick's decision, whatever he decides. But if the opportunity presents itself, I'm going to be ready and take advantage of it."
Zappe had much more impressive stats when compared to Jones last season, albeit in a smaller sample size. He finished the year with an impressive 70.9% passing completion rate while throwing five touchdowns and three interceptions.
The Patriots were heavily scrutinised for putting both Jones and Zappe in a poor situation last season, with the team not having a true offensive coach to call plays. This season though, former Houston Texans head coach and Alabama playcaller Bill O'Brien has returned to the franchise after a five-year spell under Belichick from 2007 to 2012, where he held the role of quarterback coach and offensive co-ordinator for a time.
