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What could the Patriots’ QB room look like in 2023?

By Lou Scataglia

Oct 30, 2022; East Rutherford,NJ, USA; New England Patriots quarterbacks Mac Jones (10) and Bailey Zappe (4) warm up before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2022; East Rutherford,NJ, USA; New England Patriots quarterbacks Mac Jones (10) and Bailey Zappe (4) warm up before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New England Patriots still appear to be sorting out their long-term quarterback situation. Could that room look different in 2023?  I know that some people in the fanbase are still believing in Mac Jones, but I just do not think he has enough “oomf” to be that type of franchise guy.

Bailey Zappe is a nice story, and I think he should be starting over Jones, but I don’t think he’s a viable long-term option, either.  Given that the Patriots have enjoyed moderate success this year, and given that they have a rather solid roster, there is no need to enter any sort of rebuilding mode.

New England kind of falls into that “quarterback away” category that has been thrown out from time to time.  Their defense is elite and there is no denying that.  They do have nice talent on offense as well.  Their offensive play-calling situation doing nothing to help for the most part, so I think that’s an issue that needs figured out, but I don’t think relying on Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe for 2023 is a smart idea.

What kind of QB situation can the Patriots employ next year?

New-look Patriots’ QB room in 2023?

I think the most likely scenario is Mac Jones being retained as the starter with Bailey Zappe as QB2.  Both have shown the ability to play in this system, so perhaps more exposure to it and further time developing chemistry with the offense can help.

Neither QB has high-end athleticism that many franchise QBs have, so that’s an issue that would need covered up.  However, this quarterback room for the Patriots should be able to provide you with a high floor situation if things go south.

Mac Jones and Zappe are still on their rookie deals, so the team is saving a ton of money by not having to pay a signal caller yet.  This can allow them to continue to build the team in free agency if they chose to do so.

Another option is trying to acquire a veteran QB, like several teams have done recently.  The Broncos, Colts, Browns, and Rams have all made significant moves to try and upgrade their QB situation.

Not all of them were homeruns, so this isn’t something that is guaranteed to work.  But, hear me out for second.  What happens if Lamar Jackson and the Ravens still cannot agree on a contract extension?  What happens if Lamar Jackson requests a trade?

It would make no sense for the Patriots to not be heavily involved in that process.  What if the Raiders want to move on from Derek Carr?  What if the Lions want to move on from Jared Goff?  Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent at the end of the season, too.

I am not advocating for the Patriots to do one particular thing with this situation, but I do think they will have the chance to upgrade the most important position in sports this offseason.

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