As the Patriots try to avoid falling to 1-6 on Sunday against the Bills, Mac Jones will once again be the starting quarterback.

Via Dakota Randall of NESN.com, offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien told reporters on Tuesday that Jones will retain his job.

“Yes,” O’Brien said in response to the question of whether Jones will continue to start.

Related players: Malik Cunningham, Bailey Zappe, Will Grier

The story went to say O’Brien said Cunningham’s role will be determined on a “week to week” basis. Cunningham has leapfrogged Zappe, who served as the emergency quarterback on Sunday. Cunningham played on just six snaps last week.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick has decided to have four quarterbacks on the 53-player roster, with Malik Cunningham now joining a roster that already had Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and Will Grier. But Belichick isn’t saying what role Cunningham will play going forward.

“Malik’s improved a lot during the course of the year, both at receiver and in the kicking game and some of the snaps he’s taken at quarterback,” Belichick said. “Didn’t really get too much of a chance to see him [against the Raiders] but he’s been good to work with, he’s made a lot of improvement, and we’ll see where it goes.”

Belichick did say the athletic Cunningham has shown he belongs, even though on Sunday against the Raiders he was sacked on his only pass attempt and otherwise never got involved in the offense. The Patriots are desperate to improve the offense and win a game so anything can happen. For now, Cunningham should probably only be considered in deep leagues and dynasty leagues. But as always, keep an eye on what's going on in New England.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick is asked if Mac Jones is the team's starting QB this week: "Yeah, we're not making any changes."

Related Players: Bailey Zappe

New England clearly needs to change something up after their back-to-back blowout losses, but it remains to be seen exactly what that will entail. Jones will start Week 6 despite being benched in both of his two prior games.

QB Mac Jones is expected to start Sunday.

Related players: Will Grier, Bailey Zappe, Malik Cunningham

Howe also reported he's being told this is still an important week of practice for Jones as the Patriots evaluate every position on the roster on the heels of the worst two losses of Bill Belichick’s career. Jones has six turnovers in those two losses. Zappe hasn't shown much in his time either, so the Patriots may feel they don't have another choice but to stick with Jones. Grier and Cunningham could be considered at some point the way this season has gone in New England.

The Patriots have waived backup QB Bailey Zappe, source said. A surprise.

Related players: Mac Jones

Other reports say the team released Cunningham as well. Some say Zappe could draw interest from other teams, especially after looking good filling in for Jones last year. But if not, Zappe could find his way back to New England. Currently, the Patriots have no other QBs on their roster behind Jones.

Asked directly whether the plan is for Jones to start the final three weeks of the season, Belichick didn’t answer, instead just saying they’re focused on this week’s game against the Bengals.

Related Players: Bailey Zappe

Mac Jones has had a difficult sophomore season, but it's hard to say that the offense would receive a miraculous upgrade with Zappe on the field. It's best to ignore the Patriots quarterback situation for now, and hope that they hire an offensive coordinator ahead of the 2023 season.

Mac Jones, who has been inactive the past three games, has told teammates his recovery from a high left ankle sprain he suffered Sept. 25 has progressed, with a final hurdle to be cleared in practice. The Patriots' first practice of the week is scheduled for Thursday.

Related Players: Bailey Zappe

Bailey Zappe and Jones's efficiency stats don't look too terribly different on the year, though the team has two impressive wins under their belt in Zappe starts. Neither option should be under consideration outside of 2QB leagues.

Patriots injury report for the first practice before facing the Browns Sunday. Of note: Mac Jones (ankle) is still listed as limited. Damien Harris (hamstring) also limited.

Related players: Bailey Zappe, Rhamondre Stevenson

Zappe lead the Patriots, also helped by the defense, to a shutout victory over the Lions last week. Stevenson ran 25 times for 161 yards after Harris got hurt, so if Harris misses this week, Stevenson would be a very good fantasy play getting the bulk of the work. Zappe would get the start again if Jones can't go, but Jones did practice last week and seemed close to playing.

Patriots QB Brian Hoyer left Sunday's game against the Packers after taking an early hit from Packers DL Rashan Gary. He is being evaluated for a head injury. Bailey Zappe is in at quarterback.

An early exit for the veteran but it gives the Patriots a chance to see what they have in their fourth-round rookie, who set NCAA records for passing touchdowns (62) and yards (5,967) last season at Western Kentucky.