Mac Jones benched for 4th time this season; Bailey Zappe enters Patriots-Giants at the half

The New England Patriots kept Mac Jones as their starting quarterback for their Week 12 game against the New York Giants , but the former first-round draft pick lasted only two quarters. Coming out of halftime, he was pulled from the game in favor of Bailey Zappe.

This marks the fourth time this season, and second game in a row, that Jones has been benched for his backup. Just like the Patriots’ last game, this benching differs from the first two: it came with the contest still close, and New England trailing 7-0.

Jones therefore exits the contest having completed 12 of 21 pass attempts for 89 yards and a pair of interceptions. The first of those picks came on an overthrow intended for wide receiver Demario Douglas; the second — which was returned 55 yards to the New England 26-yard line to set up the game’s first touchdown — happened on another bad decision while under duress.

The Patriots benching Jones yet again adds another chapter to what has been a disappointing season for the third-year QB.

While he did have some positive moments throughout the year, he has struggled with consistency and, most importantly, ball security: Jones’ 12 interceptions are just one shy of the league lead, and have contributed greatly to New England’s 2-8 start. They have also put his future as both a short- and long-term option in serious doubt.

Of course, Bailey Zappe has not fared much better. In his first three games as a replacement, he went just 10-of-25 for 104 yards and one interception himself.

Nonetheless, New England decided to split reps between the two in the week leading up to the Giants game. Now Zappe can show whether he is deserving of the full workload from Week 13 on.