Despite recent benching, Patriots QB Mac Jones staying positive on potentially starting vs. Giants: 'Hope so'

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Mac Jones' NFL career has been considerably rocky as of late. Following a solid rookie year, that ended with Pro Bowl honors, he was benched last season in favor of Bailey Zappe. He finished the 2022 season with 14 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.

The New England Patriots offense has been a point of contention this season, and the team is coming off 10-6 Week 10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Jones was benched once again during that game, and there is now even more uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position heading into Sunday's matchup with the New York Giants.

Longtime Patriots head coach Bill Belichick did not provide much insight earlier this week on whether Jones would be relegated to the backup role this weekend. Nevertheless, Jones appears to be doing what he can to show Belichick and the rest of the coaching staff that he is ready to start if he is called upon.

"Hope so. I mean, that’s the plan," Jones said when asked directly if he will start. "A lot of that decision-making is things I can’t control, but I can control my attitude and my effort."

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Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Foxborough. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Jones is also aware that certain things are simply beyond his control.

"We’ve had good conversations," Jones said. "Really what I’ve been focusing on is what I can control. Put a lot of thought into that, the things that I can control. … That’s what I can do, control what I can control."

PATRIOTS LEGEND ROB GRONKOWSKI