Report: Patriots' Bailey Zappe will 'have a chance to push' Mac Jones

Don't look now, but the New England Patriots may be preparing for a quarterback controversy this year. 

NFL national insider Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported on Friday that 2022 fourth-round draft pick Bailey Zappe "will at least have a chance to push" presumed starter Mac Jones in summer workouts. 

Zappe filled in this past fall when Jones was dealing with a reported high-ankle sprain, but the then-rookie was eventually relegated to backup duties amid claims that at least some players in the New England locker room preferred for a medically-cleared Jones to play. 

In total, Zappe completed 70.7% of 92 passes for 781 yards with five touchdowns, three interceptions and a 2-0 record as a starter across four games. Jones appeared in 14 contests and completed 65.2% of 442 attempts for 2,997 yards with 14 touchdowns and 11 picks. 

Jones generated headlines on multiple occasions for in-game outbursts directed toward head coach Bill Belichick and/or assistant coach Matt Patricia. The 24-year-old also allegedly landed in Belichick's doghouse for contacting outsiders about potential fixes for New England's struggling offense during the campaign. 

It was recently reported that coaches were instructed to take it easy on Jones this past season. Sources told Howe that "Belichick instructed the coaching staff not to be too hard on Jones" in 2022 even though Jones "dealt with demanding coaching at Alabama with Nick Saban — with whom he often talked trash during practice — and in high school with Corky Rogers." 

It appears unlikely that owner Robert Kraft will sign off on the Patriots trading Jones roughly two years after they used a first-round draft pick to acquire his services. The hope is that new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien can help get the signal-caller back on track. 

As Howe wrote, though, something seemingly is "off" between the Patriots and Jones ahead of springtime workouts, so much so that Zappe may be able to earn more than reps with backups come August.