Why Bill O'Brien is the biggest key to Pats' success in 2023
With the 2023 Patriots offseason workouts set to begin Monday (kinda gives new meaning to Patriots Day), several members of the team were seen working out together Friday morning, including…get this…QBs Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe!
Thanks to some stories posted to receiver Tyquan Thornton’s Instagram, we see Jones, Zappe and some skill position players at a self-organized practice, getting in some work together in advance of Monday’s offseason program kickoff. So much for a divide between the two quarterbacks, whom coach Bill Belichick has made it mostly clear will both have a shot at the starting QB job this fall, with Jones the odds-on favorite. Though no official rivalry between the two has ever been reported on, some have speculated the motivational tactics Belichick has deployed for his third-year QB and second-year backup may cause tension between the two. Hardly the case.
Last season, Jones organized several practice outings both in Florida and California with his receivers ahead of official team activities. Sadly, those workouts were for not, as once things got underway and the playbook was installed the offense went to, well, insert your preferred term for a bad place. Hopefully, this year’s practices benefit all parties in advance of new coordinator Bill O’Brien’s 2023 playbook and scheme being implemented.
Both Jones and Zappe have been highly complementary of each other, though both have no bones about showing their true competitive colors. Just the other day at a local youth football clinic, Zappe said he will “take full advantage” if given the opportunity to compete for the starting gig, but ultimately will do whatever the team needs him to do to help win. Spoken like a true Patriot if ever there was one.
The Patriots also added a third quarterback Thursday in veteran Trace McSorley, though it’s a bit early for him to be out working with Zappe and Jones. But it’s good to see them getting in work, and getting along, before things get rolling with each trying to prove they deserve the title of QB1 under Belichick and O’Brien.
For more on one of the most interesting quarterback situations in the NFL and all things Patriots stay tuned to 93.7 FM WEEI, WEEI.com and The 6 Rings and Football Things podcast.