The New England Patriots were a disaster on the offensive end of football in 2022, finishing the season 26th in yards per game while averaging just 208 passing yards per game.
After a year in which the Patriots thought they had found their quarterback of the future, former first-round pick Mac Jones fell back as New England went 8-9 and missed the playoffs.
Mac Jones of the New England Patriots looks down against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Nick Grace/Getty Images)
Bailey Zappe, a 2022 fourth round pick Hailing from western Kentucky, he started four games during the season after Jones suffered an ankle injury in a Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
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Zappe quickly became a fan favorite even after Jones returned from injury.
Devin McCourty, who announced his football retirement in March after 10 seasons, he says the locker room was split at times over who should be under center.
In a recent interview with WEEI, McCourty discussed the offense’s woes in his final NFL season.
Mac Jones, left, and Bailey Zappe of the New England Patriots before the game against the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium on October 24, 2022 in Foxborough. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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“I think player-wise, there was enough confidence that we’re going to put up the best guy,” McCourty said, according to ESPN. “But the offensive struggles, I think there were some guys in the locker room saying ‘Let’s go with [Bailey] zappe. Or “No, Mac looked good today.” It was just a back and forth, which to me, he talked more about what we had on offense than the quarterback.
“We never really solidified ourselves as an offensive group where the guys had complete confidence in everything we were doing. There was never any real hope.”
New England should be better prepared for offensive success in 2023, with the Patriots hire Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator.
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Matt Patricia and Joe Judge split call-calling duties in 2022.
Mac Jones, left, and Bailey Zappe of the New England Patriots walk onto the field before the Cardinals game at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
McCourty has endorsed Jones recently, saying the former Alabama quarterback is the answer for the Patriots.
“I think he’s the future of New England,” McCourty said of Jones on “Good Morning Football” in February. “Any doubt, I think you’re wrong if you don’t think that. I think he’s the future. He’s in that building right now doing different things, working with guys, talking to guys. That’s what he wants. He wants to be that Quarterback”.
