In the New England Patriots' final game of the season against the New York Jets, quarterback Mac Jones has been demoted to the emergency No. 3 quarterback spot and listed as inactive. This move was made by head coach Bill Belichick, which could potentially be his last game as the Patriots' coach. Nathan Rourke, who has been with the team for only three weeks after joining from the Canadian Football League (CFL), has been moved up to the backup position behind starting quarterback Bailey Zappe. The decision to demote Jones has prompted speculation that the Patriots may be looking to protect him from injury before a possible trade in the offseason. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, sources indicate that Jones and the quarterback room have maintained a positive relationship.
I see two reasons for Belichick to demote Mac Jones to QB3 today: *Put him on ice to avoid injury in anticipation of trading him this offseason Or *Send a message to Mac and/or Kraft
Mac Jones Emergency QB, #Patriots Inactives in Potential #Belichick Finale vs. #Jets: Full List - Pats Tracker https://t.co/nGbh5nlIQp via @PatsCountryFN
Patriots QB Mac Jones inactive vs. Jets, demoted to emergency third QB spot https://t.co/4BUCOFdsA2 https://t.co/vXNREPOS64
Mac Jones has been demoted in the Patriots' season finale. https://t.co/fbW2BQMEIt
A final indignity for Mac. The logic could be they don’t want a trade asset to even be in harm’s way. Conversations I had with sources this week indicated Jones and the quarterback room have been in a good spot. Obvious awkwardness of the whole benching thing nothwithstanding. https://t.co/uZBAfhkKgv
Patriots inactives: 3rd QB/emergency Mac Jones, WR Tyquan Thornton, S Joshuah Bledsoe, RB JaMycal Hasty, TE La’Michael Pettway, OT Trent Brown, DT Sam Roberts. Mac Jones’ place on this list notable, with Nathan Rourke moved up to No. 2 spot.
Mac Jones made inactive behind Nathan Rourke, a CFL QB who has been here 3 weeks https://t.co/lCVstCZKTu
The Patriots have moved Mac Jones into the third quarterback spot, so Nathan Rourke will back up Bailey Zappe in what could be Bill Belichick's final game as New England's coach.
WR Tyquan Thornton is also inactive. He was a late add to the injury report Friday with an ankle injury. https://t.co/QkwEkzEJW0
In what could be Bill Belichick's final game as #Patriots coach, he has demoted Mac Jones to the emergency No. 3 QB spot behind Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke.
Mac Jones is the #Patriots emergency third QB today, behind backup Nathan Rourke, whom the team claimed off waivers less than 3 weeks ago.
In the final game of the regular season, #Patriots QB Mac Jones is a healthy scratch and will serve as the third (emergency) QB.
Patriots inactives: OT Trent Brown QB Mac Jones (third QB) WR Tyquan Thornton S Joshuah Bledsoe RB JaMycal Hasty TE La'Michael Pettway DL Sam Roberts
Mac Jones the third QB for the #Patriots today. https://t.co/XlazJTJWVv
Mac Jones is listed as the Patriots emergency #3 QB today.
A little shakeup at QB for the Patriots today. QB Mac Jones is inactive as the emergency third QB. Nathan Rourke is active.
Patriots inactives. https://t.co/rzM1qvxqak
Actives/inactives: -- #Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence is playing, Christian Kirk is out. -- #Saints RB Alvin Kamara is out. -- #Bucs QB Baker Mayfield is up. -- #Jets WR Allen Lazard is a healthy scratch. -- #Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke is inactive after attempting to work out today.
#Jets inactives: QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Allen Lazard, OL Austin Deculus, DE Carl Lawson, CB Bryce Hall, LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball, PK Austin Seibert.
Inactives for #NYJvsNE