Patriots Bench Starting Quarterback After First Quarter

In a shocking turn of events, the New England Patriots have benched starting quarterback Mac Jones after a middling first quarter in their Monday Night Football matchup with the Chicago Bears. Bailey Zappe entered in favor of Jones, reigniting a major quarterback controversy that will dominate the remainder of the season.

Mac Jones has been pulled and Bailey Zappe is in at QB 👀

📺: Bears-Patriots on ESPN pic.twitter.com/2vJpEM5UXu
— ESPN (@espn) October 25, 2022

Jones got off to a rough start for the Patriots, opening the game with a pair of three-and-outs before ending a promising third drive with an interception. He finished the night having completed three of his six passes for 13 yards and the pick, putting the Patriots down 10-0.

Zappe entered for the Patriots to a shocked and raucous New England crowd and promptly sparked a borderline supernatural few possessions. Wide receiver Jacoby Meyers delivered an incredible, leaping 30-yard touchdown reception, the Patriots defense tipped a Justin Fields pass for an interception, and Zappe quickly uncorked another deep pass wide receiver DeVante Parker adjusted to beautifully. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson finished the drive off with an easy score. In less than six minutes of game time, Zappe flipped the contest completely, handing the Patriots a 14-10 lead.

Should the momentum continue, Zappe could be in line to start indefinitely for the Patriots. After earning a Pro Bowl in his rookie season, Jones could find himself stuck to the bench until he's traded or Zappe's magical run collapses in on itself. How the Patriots proceed the rest of the night and the rest of the season could very well end up one of the biggest stories in the league this year and invite comparisons to Tom Brady's staggering rise over entrenched starter Drew Bledsoe in 2001.

Stay tuned.