Bill Belichick backed Mac Jones as the Patriots’ starting quarterback for their Week 6 game against the Raiders on Sunday, but the 2021 first-round pick’s margin for error appears to be razor thin.
Jones is on a “short leash” against the Raiders (2-3) in Las Vegas, NFL.com reported Sunday morning, and he could find himself on the bench if the Patriots (1-4) get off to an ugly start.
The 25-year-old was benched late in each of the last two games, both blowout losses, with Bailey Zappe taking over.
But Zappe might not get the call if Jones gets a quick hook.
Will Grier, a third-round pick of the Panthers in 2019 who hasn’t appeared in a game since that season, got a “fair share” of the practice snaps, along with Zappe.
Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal told “Felger & Mazz” on 98.5 The Sports Hub during the week that he believed the Patriots would turn to Grier instead of Zappe if they decided to bench Jones.
Another option for New England is Malik Cunningham, a quarterback/wide receiver who was an undrafted free agent out of Louisville that the Patriots signed to their active roster on Saturday.
The Patriots have packages for Cunningham, according to multiple reports.
After close losses to the Eagles and Dolphins followed by a Week 3 road win over the Jets, the Patriots were embarrassed in consecutive weeks, losing 38-3 on the road to the Cowboys and falling 34-0 at home last week against the Saints.
Jones, a Pro Bowler as a rookie, has 1,008 yards passing, five touchdowns and six interceptions in five games this season.
He threw two interceptions in each of the last two games.
