Patriots OC Bill O’Brien addresses possibility of Mac Jones return

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has had a difficult season. He hasn’t take a snap under center since the Week 12 loss to the New York Giants.

Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien addressed Jones’ chances of getting another opportunity to play this season in a media session on Tuesday.

“I think everybody’s gotta be ready to play. Especially in the situation that we’re in. I really do,” said O’Brien, via NESN’s Dakota Randall. “I think that everybody has to be ready to go. Anybody that’s on the 53-man roster really has to go out on the practice field and practice well and earn a shot to play. … So, and I know that you’ve heard that from Bill — but that’s the truth. Like, you have to be ready to go. Because if you practice really well, you’re gonna have a real shot to play. So, I think that goes for every position.”

Jones went from being benched multiple times throughout the course of the season to finally relinquishing the starting quarterback job to Bailey Zappe.

He has recorded 2,120 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on the year. He recorded 89 passing yards, two interceptions and finished with a 27.8 quarterback rating in his final outing against the Giants.

Zappe has started the last two games for New England. He recorded a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, before coming back to Earth in Sunday’s 27-17 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jones could potentially have a chance at redemption with three weeks left in the season. As of now, however, it looks like it’s Zappe’s job to lose.