Patriots players were split between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe during season, retired star says

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The New England Patriots were a mess on the offensive side of the 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 draft pick Mac Jones regressed as New England went 8-9 and missed the playoffs. 

Mac Jones of the New England Patriots looks down field against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 24, 2022, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Nick Grace/Getty Images)

Bailey Zappe, a 2022 fourth-round draft pick out of Western Kentucky, 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 his injury. 

Devin McCourty, who announced his retirement from football in March after 10 seasons, says the locker room was split at times on who should be under center. 

In a recent interview with WEEI, McCourty discussed the issues on offense in his last NFL season. 

Mac Jones, left, and Bailey Zappe of the New England Patriots before the game against the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 24, 2022, in Foxborough. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

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"I think player-wise there was enough trust that we’re going to put the best guy out there," McCourty said, according to ESPN. "But the struggles on offense, I think there were some guys in the locker room that were like ‘Let’s go with [Bailey] Zappe.’ Or ‘No, Mac