Bill Belichick addresses rumors about Mac Jones being benched

Nov 18, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks on the field before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

There has been a lot of speculation that the New England Patriots could make a quarterback change for their Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, but Bill Belichick has officially put that talk to rest.

Belichick was asked on Wednesday if Mac Jones remains New England’s starting quarterback. He had a very clear response.

Bill Belichick on if QB Mac Jones will be starting on Sunday: “Yeah, we’re not making any changes.”

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 11, 2023

“Yeah, we’re not making any changes,” Belichick said.

Belichick said after the Patriots’ 34-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints that Jones remains the team’s quarterback. The 71-year-old coach emphasized that New England has had numerous issues and said they are not all on Jones.

Still, some wondered if Jones was in danger of being benched in Week 6 after ESPN’s Adam Schefter said the Patriots’ offense is going to look different in Las Vegas. If they do make noticeable changes, one of them apparently will not be at quarterback.

The Patriots have lost to their last two opponents — the Saints and Dallas Cowboys — by a combined score of 72-3. Jones was benched late in both games, though Belichick has insisted that was not for performance. The former first-round pick had six turnovers in the two games.