FOXBORO — A quarterback change could finally be on the horizon 13 weeks into the Patriots’ disappointing 2023 season.

Backup Bailey Zappe and undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham were the only quarterbacks to take reps during practice in front of reporters during an open period of practice while Mac Jones, who has started the first 11 weeks of the season, stood by and watched. A source said Zappe took most of the quarterback reps on Wednesday.

Head coach Bill Belichick was asked Wednesday morning about the team’s quarterback situation and would not name a starter.

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“Yeah, I’m not going to make any announcements on our lineup at any position,” Belichick said. “It doesn’t matter what the position is. See how practice goes and see if everybody’s ready to go, hope that everybody’s ready to go, see what the injury situation is and then we’ll go with who we think is best Sunday.”

The Patriots benched Jones for the second straight week in Sunday’s 10-7 loss to the Giants and for the fourth time this season. Jones threw two interceptions in the first half Sunday before Zappe replaced him after halftime.

One source believed Jones is lacking confidence in himself, his teammates and the scheme, adding Jones doesn’t trust his arm, the blocking or coverage reads, so he’s “spiraling.”

Belichick did verbally commit to Jones earlier this season after he was benched in consecutive games against the Cowboys and Saints, so he was asked what changed in his approach to making those public announcements.

“Yeah, because we’ll see how it goes,” Belichick said. “I’m not prepared to make any announcement, so I’m not going to do that.”

Zappe has not received a starting opportunity yet this season based on his struggles in practice, per a source. Those issues date back to the summer when he was waived out of training camp and the preseason.

Zappe led the Patriots on a scoring drive after replacing Jones in Sunday’s loss but has thrown interceptions in each of his last two game appearances. Belichick was asked what Zappe would have to do to earn a start.

“Look, every player, whatever opportunities they have, need to do the best with them that they can – practice, games, even in meetings and other preparation opportunities,” Belichick said. “So, that’s what a player can do – be prepared, do the best he can, and that’s what each guy will have an opportunity to do somewhere along the line over the course of a long season.”

A source believed Cunningham might also get a look at quarterback in Sunday’s game against the Chargers. The rookie told the Herald last week he had not practiced regularly at quarterback since Week 6 when he served as Jones’ backup.

“Well, there are other players who are practicing at quarterback, as well. He’s not the only guy out there,” Belichick said Wednesday morning when asked why Cunningham had stopped practicing at quarterback. “And it depends a little bit on the offense that we’re seeing. So, if we’re seeing offenses that run plays that he’s very good at running, teams like Philadelphia, the first Miami game, then he gets — they’re practice squad reps but they’re also reps on things that he does. So, he’s kind of a unique player. Things aren’t straight-lined with him. He’s different than probably every other player we have on the team. He’s handled a little bit differently.”

The Patriots also signed quarterback Will Grier to the practice squad Wednesday after he cleared waivers Monday. Grier initially was not expected to return to the Patriots but didn’t have a strong market of alternatives, according to a source.

“He could have been claimed by another team, so once he wasn’t claimed by another team, then we reopened the discussions,” Belichick said. “But we didn’t control that.”

Belichick answered broadly when asked if Grier would receive more first-team reps this week in practice since Jones and Zappe both have struggled this season.

“All of the players who are on the practice squad – unless they’ve used all of their practice squad elevations – are eligible to be practice squad elevated,” Belichick said. “Other players could be signed to the roster like we did with Conor (McDermott) last week, who was out of elevations. So, if they’re on the practice squad, they’re eligible and are preparing and should be ready to play. And potentially are ready to play. That includes everybody.”

Belichick would only say “we’re going to do what’s best for the team based on the individual situation” when asked why Jones keeps receiving more opportunities after getting benched four times.

Zappe started two games for the Patriots in 2022 and won both. He has struggled to adapt to offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s more complex scheme, however.