Lamar Jackson vs. Mac Jones? Coach Bill Belichick Refuses to Back Patriots QB
PHOENIX - If the New England Patriots grow irritated at the gossip about their quarterback position - and coach Bill Belichick, speaking here Monday at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix as usual gave off that vibe - they should realize they are the ones stirring up the controversy.
By what owner Robert Kraft will say.
And by what Belichick will not say.
"Everybody will get a chance to play,'' said the coach when asked whether former first-rounder Mac Jones or second-year backup Bailey Zappe will be New England's starter in 2023, "and we'll play the best players."
Belichick's usual reticence to share information with the media is the stuff of legend, and even of high comedy. But this reasonable question being answered unreasonably - really? "Everybody will get a chance to play'' quarterback?' - only feeds the foolishness and highlights the problems with a team that oddsmakers believe is the worst edition of the Patriots in about a quarter-century.
And ... is this doing Mac Jones, the sensible favorite, any good in terms of confidence and development?
And while Belichick is being stubborn, Kraft is being silly ... we think ... with his mention here in Phoenix that rapper Meek Mill has passed along a message to the Patriots that unhappy Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is hoping to be traded to New England.
That would be some kind of fun, actually, because inasmuch as Belichick plans to give "Everybody a chance to play,'' maybe Lamar, Mac and Bailey can become a three-headed rotation at QB.
Hey, that'd really throw the media off the scent!
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