Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Andrew Gamble

NFL fans tell Bill Belichick to "swallow his pride" and ditch Mac Jones for Bailey Zappe

New England Patriots fans begun clamouring for quarterback Bailey Zappe to come into the game as the team struggled to get going offensively against the New York Jets.

Zappe captured the imagination of the Patriots fanbase when he got his opportunity to play after starting quarterback Mac Jones went down with an injured ankle in the Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. After backup Brian Hoyer was knocked out of the game against the Green Bay Packers, Zappe stepped in and immediately impressed.

A fourth round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Zappe challenged four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers as the Packers secured an overtime win. However, Zappe led New England to a crushing 29-0 win over the Detroit Lions in Foxborough before starring against the Cleveland Browns.

Against the Browns, Zappe threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns in the 38-15 win. The 23-year-old made history as a result, becoming the first rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win his first two starts while registering a quarterback rating of 100 or better in both matches.

However, Zappe lost his starting job when Jones returned but the 2021 first round pick is yet to find form. In fact, many Patriots fans are calling for coach Bill Belichick to bring the rookie back into the fold amid the offensive struggles against the Jets.

One fan wrote: “It’s so obvious with the limited touches he got that Bailey Zappe is a better QB than Mac. BB needs to swallow his pride and give the fans what they want. Otherwise the Patriots are destined to be mediocre for a while.”

Rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe has endeared himself to New England Patriots fans with his gutsy performances (Michael Dwyer/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Another added that he just wants to watch Zappe, while one conceded: “Not watching the Patriots anymore. Bailey Zappe isn’t starting again.”

Many more fans took to Twitter to call for Belichick to put Zappe into the game, while one angry fan wrote: “Mac looks like a Freshman at Varsity tryouts. Breathe dude.”

The Patriots are currently facing the Jets at Gilette Stadium in Foxborough. New England 5-4 while the Jets are 6-3 in an incredibly-competitive AFC East.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.