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Bill Belichick not ready to commit to Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe as Patriots starting quarterback

Is the Mac Jones era already over in New England?

If you ask Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, it remains to be seen.

Belichick refused to commit to Jones, a first-round pick (No. 10 overall) in 2021, as the Patriots' starting quarterback in 2023 when asked by reporters at Monday's annual AFC coaches' breakfast in Phoenix.

"Everybody will get a chance to play," Belichick said of the quarterback situation. "We'll play the best player."

At first glance, the quote reads like classic Belichick rhetoric. But the future Hall of Fame coach had no issue committing to a struggling Cam Newton over Jarrett Stidham during the 2020 season.

Belichick avoided similar language with Jones last season.

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When Jones suffered a high-ankle sprain during the Patriots' Week 3 game, backup Bailey Zappe stepped in and won both of his games as a starter. Jones returned Week 7 but was replaced by Zappe after an early interception. Zappe, a rookie fourth-round pick, led a touchdown drive in his first series but threw two of his own interceptions in a blowout loss.

Jones played the entirety of the Patriots' remaining schedule but finished with a lower completion percentage, touchdown percentage and higher sack rate compared to his Pro Bowl rookie campaign.

Even during exit interviews in January, Belichick would not commit to a No. 1 quarterback in 2023, only saying he thought Jones "has the ability to play quarterback in this league."

It seems as though Belichick, who hired Bill O'Brien to run the New England offense in 2023, will keep everyone guessing as to which quarterback lines up under center during Week 1 of next season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe? Bill Belichick quiet on Patriots 2023 QB