In a surprising turn of events, the New England Patriots have decided to make a quarterback change as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday. Bill Belichick, the head coach of the Patriots, has announced that rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe will be given the starting role, replacing Mac Jones.

According to reports from Doug Kyed of the Herald and The Athletic, Zappe has been taking the majority of reps in practice this week, indicating that he is being prepared to lead the Patriots' offense against the Chargers. This decision comes after the Patriots' recent loss to the Giants, where Jones, the previous starter, struggled to make an impact.

Zappe, who was last seen handing the ball off in a crucial moment against the Giants, has been given the opportunity to showcase his skills. Despite being considered a worse passer than Jones, Zappe's confidence remains intact, which could provide a much-needed boost for the team.

This quarterback change is not solely based on Zappe's performance, but rather to support and rally behind the rest of the team. The Patriots' defense has been exceptional, holding opponents to 10 points or fewer in consecutive games. Players like veteran Matthew Slater, who is on his way to becoming a Patriots Hall of Famer, deserve a chance to win, even if it seems unlikely.

Zappe's presence in the locker room has inspired cautious hope among his teammates. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster praised Zappe's practice performance, noting his ability to make throws and move the chains. Additionally, the Patriots have also been considering splitting reps with undrafted rookie quarterback/receiver Malik Cunningham, who has shown versatility and dynamic playmaking abilities.

The Patriots coaching staff has remained tight-lipped about their plans for Sunday's game. Furthermore, there seems to be confusion regarding Cunningham's position, with wide receivers coach Troy Brown calling him a quarterback while Belichick labeled him a receiver. Cunningham, who has spent most of the season on the practice squad as a receiver, was forced into the backup quarterback role in Week 6 when Jones was unavailable.

If Zappe struggles like Jones did in the previous game, there is a possibility that Cunningham could be given a chance to showcase his skills. Cunningham's athleticism could enhance the Patriots' strong running game, which has displayed impressive performance metrics.

As the Patriots embark on this quarterback change, the team hopes that Zappe's confidence and potential, along with the support of the rest of the roster, will lead them to success. Sunday's game against the Chargers will be a pivotal moment for Zappe, as he gets his opportunity to prove himself as the leader of New England's offense.