Evaluating Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones, two Patriots quarterbacks, for the 2023 season.
The New England Patriots are in the midst of a complete reconstruction as they bid farewell to a turbulent 2023 campaign that was characterized by a depressing 4-13 record. Jerod Mayo, the 15th head coach in Patriots history, is the new coach of the team. This change marks a turning point for the group and sets a new direction for the future.
The Patriots 2023 season was disappointing in large measure because of one position in particular: quarterback. The two quarterbacks for the squad had a terrible season and were among the least effective in the league both as a unit and as individuals. After setting the scene, let’s watch the entire movie and analyze each quarterback’s play from the previous campaign.
By many accounts, Mac Jones’ 2023 season was a huge letdown; he has declined sharply each of his three NFL seasons. To be honest, he only received a “+” because of the lack of skill in the area around him, which diminished expectations for him. Jones had a down year in 2022 after a strong debut campaign, as the team finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs. Following a three-touchdown effort in a close defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles to start the 2023 season, Mac Jones rapidly descended into a string of unimpressive games.
We saw none of that this year from a quarterback who entered the game as a guy who was “able to get rid of the ball without putting it in harm’s way” and who also “throws receivers open in tight coverage.” With 10 touchdowns versus 12 interceptions, Jones completed 224 of 345 throws for 2,120 yards; judging by the games he participated, there could have been a good number of more. This downturn wasn’t merely statistical; it was evident in every game; he frequently displayed an inability to read defenses and was hesitant all the time. He got into the bad habit of throwing off his back foot, which further complicated matters. Finally, everything came to a head with Jones permanently benched, in favor of Bailey Zappe.
It was by no means an impulsive decision to bench Jones. In fact, a lot of supporters and media people questioned why Jones was still starting after the team benched him three times. Throughout the season, he appeared to lack confidence in a variety of areas, and it was evident in his play. Similar to the several instances in which non-threatening pressure forced the quarterback to rush into poor throws. or doubting himself and passing up the ideal opportunity to make a play. They were unable to overcome his errors, not even with one of the best defenses in the league.
Bailey Zappe: Not good
One of the few captivating narratives in an otherwise disappointing season for the New England Patriots was Bailey Zappe’s rise to starting quarterback status. Zappe, thrust into the limelight by Jones’s troubles, displayed promising glimpses that raised the possibility that he may be the team’s offensive leader. But like Jones, his overall play was erratic, and as a starter, he only helped the team win once. Zappe’s 19 of 28 for 240 yards and three touchdowns in that victory was a glaring example of his inconsistent play when he was the starter.
The fact that 196 of those yards and all three of his touchdowns came in the first half makes his stat line for his Week 14 victory over the Steelers even more astounding. During a very strong first half, he averaged 0.48 EPA per play and had 107 air yards on 14 completions. But for the second half after the break, it was like a different quarterback emerged. In the second half, Zappe tossed the ball just eight times. Of those passes, he only completed five for a pitiful 44 yards. Zappe only succeeded in getting one of his five completions past the line of scrimmage, which exacerbated the situation. The Patriots’ yardage after the catch exceeded their overall passing yards in the second half of that game. (48/44).
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