There has been a lot of change in the quarterback position for the New England Patriots this season, but it could see them repeat a trick that unearthed Tom Brady.
Mac Jones is, of course, the main man for the Patriots, but injury has seen Bailey Zappe given a rare opportunity to impress, as has Brian Hoyer. The Patriots were 1-2 with Jones in the side, and he threw three interceptions in his final appearance against Baltimore Ravens.
Since his absence, the Patriots have sent Green Bay Packers to overtime and even managed to shutout the Detroit Lions, winning 29-0 with Zappe at the helm. Things are starting to seem a lot like 2001 in New England, and head coach Bill Belichick could potentially stick with his back-up moving forward, just as he did all those years ago with Brady.
Back in 2001, Drew Bledsoe's absence through a horrific injury gave back-up Tom Brady the opportunity to shine, and he did just that. Pretty much ever since that moment, Belichick, the Patriots, and the NFL never looked back.
Brady went on to win six Super Bowl rings with the Patriots, and remains the most successful player of all-time. Of course, back in 2001 there were some question marks over Belichick's decision, but no one is doubting his judgement now.
In 2001, Belichick was asked is he would keep Bledsoe out of the side even when he was fit, in order to keep running with Brady. The Patriots boss replied: "I really can't make any kind comment on that whatsoever because I don't know what we are talking about.
"These are all just hypothetical questions. I will just go with what we are dealing with now. We will talk about those things if and when they materialise at a later point in time."
But his comment is freakishly similar to one he gave 21 years later, as he's been asked the same question about the Jones/Zappe scenario. Speaking recently to reporters, Belichick said: "Yeah, I’m not going to get into a lot of hypotheticals on all the different things that might or might not happen and all that.
"That’s just, to me, a waste of time. I’m not going to sit around here and dream up scenarios and all that. We’ll take things as they come and go from there.
"Obviously, Mac wasn’t active yesterday, so it wasn’t any part of any decision yesterday."
Jones has suffered a poor start to the season, throwing just two touchdowns while also tossing five interceptions. Zappe has come in and matched his touchdowns in just two games, and has only lost the ball once.
The Patriots have a bye in week six, so have a long time to think about their options going forward before they face the Chicago Bears on October 24. But we have seen it before with Belichick, so don't be surprised if it happens again.
