New England Patriots

ARLINGTON, Texas — Mac Jones will remain the Patriots’ starting quarterback moving forward, head coach Bill Belichick said Sunday after a 38-3 loss at the hands of the Cowboys.

Jones was removed from the game late in the third quarter for backup quarterback Bailey Zappe after turning the ball over three times. One of his two interceptions plus a strip-sack were returned by the Cowboys for touchdowns.

“I didn’t think there was any point in leaving him in the game,” Belichick said when asked why Jones was benched.

Belichick was asked directly if Jones would start Sunday against the Saints.

“Yeah, I just said there was no point in leaving him in the game,” Belichick responded.

Belichick said Jones was not benched for poor performance.

“I just said there was no point in leaving him out there, so I took him out,” Belichick said.

Jones was 12-of-21 for 150 yards with two interceptions. Zappe was 4-of-9 for 57 yards in reserve.

The Patriots also have quarterback Will Grier on their roster. Grier served as an emergency third quarterback on Sunday.

The Patriots have started the season 1-3 with losses to the Eagles and Jets. They were coming off of a 15-10 win over the Jets before Sunday’s drubbing.