The Patriots’ perpetual quarterback controversy is lingering into a third week.

Quarterback Mac Jones, in his weekly appearance on WEEI’s “Jones and Mego with Arcand” program was asked if he’s the Patriots’ starter.

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“Um, look. You always ask me, right? I think the biggest thing for me is that’s a result. I’m going to focus on the process this week,” Jones said. “Focus on competing and getting better. That’s all I’ve ever done at every sport. I know that if I do that, we’ll be in good hands. That’s something I need to focus on as always. I do have confidence in myself, and I have confidence in the guys around me.”

Jones has been giving the same non-answers for weeks now about his struggles, and they’re ringing more and more hollow by the day. The Patriots are not in good hands at quarterback, and they haven’t been all season no matter how hard Jones has competed or focused on getting better. He’s been benched four times this season, and while none of them have been permanent up to this point, they have been deserved.

Head coach Bill Belichick wouldn’t name a starting QB on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” on Monday morning and said he doesn’t name a starter at every position each week. That’s true. But he confirmed Jones as the Patriots’ starter after he was benched earlier this season against the Cowboys and Saints and now is acting like doing so is a preposterous premise.

Belichick went all week without naming a starter before the Patriots lost 10-7 to the Giants, and it clearly didn’t benefit the offense. Jones didn’t lead the Patriots on a single scoring drive and threw two interceptions before being benched for Bailey Zappe at halftime. Zappe led the Patriots on a touchdown-scoring drive before throwing his own interception two series later.