Belichick says using both quarterbacks was pre-planned; again declines to name starter

The New England Patriots are now starting to understand how the other half lives. 

They now have to deal with the dreaded quarterback controversy after Mac Jones and rookie Bailey Zappe both struggled in an embarrassing Monday night loss to the Chicago Bears. 

According to head coach Bill Belichick, the dual quarterback usage was something he planned going into the game, and he has declined to name a starter for the Patriots' Week 8 game against the New York Jets. 

Jones, playing in his first game back from injury, was benched after throwing a poor interception and hearing some boos from the Foxboro crowd, setting the stage for Zappe to get another shot after a couple of strong starts in Jones' absence. 

After leading two touchdown drives, the Patriots seemed to have momentum and the crowd back on their side. 

But things quickly unraveled for Zappe and the Patriots offense and they were never able to take the lead or keep the game close. 

After the game Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers talked about how it was "tough" to see Jones treated that way by the coaching staff and fans. 

"Not even as a football player. I mean, it's tough as a man to see somebody who worked so hard kind of get that kind of treatment," Meyers said. "But at the end of the day, we're all trying to feed our families, so we've got to go out there and make plays with whoever's throwing it."

There were also reports that offensive players apologized to Jones after the game for how it played out, while there seemed to be some confusion as to whether or not the players knew of the quarterback plan going into the game.  

But Belichick told WEEI in Boston on Tuesday morning that he informed both quarterbacks and the team's offensive leaders about the plan to use both quarterbacks. He acknowledged that he did not tell *every* player and person involved with the team, but both quarterbacks did know.

He was also again asked if he has made a decision for next week's game and only said he is going to do what is best for the football team.