Belichick Remains Tight-Lipped on Starting QB After Brissett's Pull
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick remained characteristically mum on the team's starting quarterback situation following the Patriots' 22-14 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday, despite pulling Jacoby Brissett in the fourth quarter for rookie Bailey Zappe.
Belichick's silence after the game has left fans and analysts alike speculating about the team's plans for the quarterback position moving forward.
While Brissett had a strong performance in the first three quarters, completing 16 of 25 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns, he struggled in the fourth quarter, throwing an interception that led to the Texans scoring their only touchdown of the game.
Zappe, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, entered the game with the Patriots trailing 14-10. He completed 5 of 11 passes for 44 yards and led the team on a game-winning touchdown drive in the final minutes of the game.
Belichick, known for his notoriously tight-lipped approach to the media, offered no insight into his decision to pull Brissett or his plans for the quarterback position moving forward.
"We'll evaluate it like we do everything else," Belichick said in his post-game press conference. "We'll see what we have and make decisions based on that."
The Patriots have struggled at the quarterback position all season, with Mac Jones currently sidelined with a high ankle sprain. The team signed Brissett to a one-year contract in the offseason, but his performance has been inconsistent.
Zappe's strong performance against the Texans could give the Patriots a much-needed spark at the quarterback position. However, it's unclear whether his performance was a fluke or a sign of things to come.
Belichick's silence has fueled speculation that the team is actively considering Zappe as a potential starter. However, it's also possible that the Patriots are simply taking a wait-and-see approach, evaluating both quarterbacks before making a decision about the starting lineup.
The Patriots will likely continue to play it by ear at the quarterback position, with Belichick giving no indication of his plans for the future. Fans will have to wait and see how the team approaches the quarterback situation in the coming weeks.
