Patriots OC Bill O'Brien addresses drama around his quarterbacks room

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien sounded pleased about the individuals in his quarterback room as of early Friday evening. 

"You know, Mac Jones, he’s worked really really hard this offseason," O’Brien told reporters on Friday, as shared by Dakota Randall of NESN. "Been here every day. We just started working last week … and that’s been good. A lot of good meetings. A lot of good give and take."

"Bailey Zappe, same thing. Really working very hard. Good guys. Really good guys that care about the team, care about winning, care about doing what’s best for the team, which has always been the mantra here." 

The Patriots did not select a quarterback in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday night, even though Will Levis of the Kentucky Wildcats fell into their laps before falling out of the first round. New England had been linked with Levis throughout draft week until it was reported that "he didn't wow team executives" during his top-30 visit.

The public perception is that Jones' status with the Patriots remains up in the air following claims that head coach Bill Belichick shopped the 2021 first-round draft pick earlier in the spring. It is thought that Jones will have to compete with Zappe for the starting job in Boston later this summer and O’Brien hinted that will be the case. 

"I think everything we do here is always based on competition," he said about a potential quarterback battle. "...I think every year is different. Every year is new. The best players I’ve ever been around in this league always have the mantra that they’re gonna earn it every single year. And I think that that’s a big deal."

At this juncture, Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson is no longer an option for the Patriots and it is unknown if New England would have any interest in acquiring Trey Lance from the San Francisco 49ers. Lance presumably could become available via a trade after June 1, as to-be San Francisco starter Brock Purdy recovers from the surgery he underwent in March to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.