In an unexpected development, the New England Patriots' starting quarterback position for Sunday's game against the Chargers appears to be up in the air. During Wednesday's practice, it was sophomore Bailey Zappe, not Mac Jones, who took the majority of first-team snaps, according to sources.

The decision to give Zappe the starting nod came as a surprise to many, especially considering that Jones has been the team's primary quarterback for the majority of the season. However, rumors of Jones potentially being benched began circulating earlier this week, and Wednesday's practice seems to have added fuel to the speculation.

Interestingly, Jones was seen running the scout team offense during practice, emulating the playing style of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. This led some to believe that the Patriots coaching staff wanted Jones to focus on perfecting his imitation of Herbert in order to provide a realistic look to the defensive unit.

While it's possible that Jones' assignment to the scout team was purely for preparation purposes, the move has raised questions about his status for Sunday's game. Some believe that Jones might not even be active for the Patriots, with rookie Malik Cunningham potentially seeing playing time as the backup quarterback to Zappe.

If Jones were to be inactive, it wouldn't be the first time this season. The rookie quarterback has been benched in four previous games, casting doubt on his long-term role with the team. While Jones has shown promise at times, inconsistencies in his performance have led to these benchings and prompted discussions about the team's quarterback situation moving forward.

Regardless of the reasoning behind Zappe's increased reps and Jones' practice role, one thing is clear – the Patriots' starting quarterback situation has become uncertain ahead of Sunday's crucial matchup. Head coach Bill Belichick has not made any official announcements regarding the decision, leaving fans and analysts wondering who will lead the team under center.

The Patriots have had their fair share of challenges this season, and finding stability at the quarterback position has been one of them. While Zappe, a relatively unknown quarterback, stepped up during practice, it remains to be seen if he can replicate his success in a game setting. The performance of the Patriots' offense will be closely scrutinized this Sunday, as the team looks to solidify their playoff hopes.

As game day approaches, all eyes will be on the New England Patriots and their quarterback situation. Will Mac Jones be relegated to the sidelines? Can Bailey Zappe rise to the occasion as the unexpected starter? Only time will reveal the answers, but the uncertainty surrounding the team's quarterback position adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already pivotal game.