Reports: Mac Jones expected to start at quarterback for Patriots on Sunday

Mac Jones is practicing with New England Patriots starters and expected to start on Sunday against the New York Jets, ESPN's Field Yates and NFL Network's Mike Garofolo report.

The news arrives after head coach Bill Belichick benched Jones during Monday's loss to the Chicago Bears in favor of rookie Bailey Zappe. Jones, New England's first-round pick in 2021, had missed the previous three games with an ankle injury. Zappe played well in his absence, and Belichick benched Jones after he threw an interception against the Bears.

Belichick insisted after the game that the benching wasn't performance-related and that he had planned ahead of time to play both quarterbacks against Chicago. He declined to name a starter moving forward after the 33-14 loss to the Bears.

Jones struggled in Monday's game, his first since suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens. He completed 3 of 6 passes for 13 yards and a second-quarter interception that ended his night.

Zappe took over and led the Patriots to consecutive touchdown drives to take a 14-10 lead. But he struggled with turnovers from there while completing 14 of 22 passes for 185 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions and a lost fumble as the Bears took control of the game.

Belichick's decision, the struggles of both quarterbacks and Belichick's lack of commitment after the game left the Patriots mired in a quarterback controversy that was already brewing before Monday's kickoff. The Patriots are 3-4 and the only team in the AFC East with a losing record. They'll seek to avoid falling further behind in the division against the 5-2 Jets on Sunday.