Bailey Zappe led the New England Patriots to a win at the Steelers last time out. Should the quarterback have replaced his rival Mac Jones earlier?

Bailey Zappe has learned a lot from Bill Belichick. Especially how to answer explosive questions evasively. Meaningless

On WEEI’s “Jones & Mego” show, he was asked if he thinks he should have possibly been the New England Patriots’ starter sooner.

Zappe hadn’t taken over the reins from Mac Jones until Week 13.

“I’m just focused on what’s going on right now,” Zappe said. “That’s a question for the coach and what he’s thinking, but as far as I’m concerned, I’m focused on the Chiefs this week and whatever he decides going forward.”

After a 21-18 loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers, a furious first half and an overall good performance with 240 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, it is not yet clear whether Belichick will continue to rely on Zappe as the starter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15.

Belichick won’t let anyone look at his cards

Belichick hinted, however, that Zappe simply wasn’t good enough or better than Jones to be the starter earlier. “Bailey played earlier in the year. He played in the preseason – he played a lot in the preseason,” Belichick said. “But we made the decision when I thought it was the right time to do it.”

In typical Belichick fashion, a good performance is no guarantee of further appearances as a starter. “We’ll realign things a little bit. Certainly Bailey has done a good job. He has earned playing time. But what exactly that will look like, we’ll talk about that,” Belichick said after the win in Pittsburgh.

On Monday, he didn’t reveal his cards on the “Greg Hill Show” either. “I’m not announcing who’s doing what,” Belichick said when asked if Zappe will remain the starter this week. “I just don’t do that. “