Bailey Zappe taking first-team reps with the Patriots (again) is a sign the Mac Jones era is over

The Mac Jones era of New England Patriots football might be coming to an end.

ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported on Wednesday that Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe has returned to taking first-team reps with the offense, followed by practice squad rookie quarterback Malik Cunningham.

Reiss noted that Jones and practice squad quarterback Will Grier didn’t take any throws when media was present.

This is the first sign we’ve gotten so far that the Patriots might be moving on from having Jones as their starting quarterback, at least for the time being.

Everything has been in a downward spiral for Jones after his first two seasons in the NFL, with a report recently suggesting that the 2021 first-round quarterback was losing support in the New England locker room.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick, whose future is also in question with the franchise after more than two decades at the helm, deflected inquiries recently about who would start for New England going forward.

While Zappe taking first-team practice reps isn’t a confirmation that Jones will be benched, it’s a pretty clear indication this is where the Patriots are headed for the time being.