FOXBORO — Nobody with the Patriots will admit it.

Bill Belichick said he’s not making any announcements, Bailey Zappe said nothing is set in stone, and offensive starters simply offered “we’ll see.”

But even if they won’t say so publicly, all signs point to Zappe getting the start at quarterback this Sunday against the Chargers.

“I’m going to do everything I can to help this team win,” Zappe said.

Zappe has already come on to replace incumbent starter Mac Jones four times this season, going 19 for 39 for 158 passing yards, no touchdown passes and two interceptions. His work was limited to mop-up duty at the end of blowouts in his first two games, but late in New England’s 10-6 loss to Indianapolis he was summoned to lead the Patriots’ final drive in what remained a close game.

Then last week he played the entire second half against the New York Giants, stepping in after Jones was benched once again. Zappe led the Patriots on an 11-play, 60-yard scoring drive to open the half, but he struggled afterwards and finished 9 for 14 for 54 yards and an interception.

Still, given Jones’ woes and the team’s 2-9 record, a change is arguably long overdue. Zappe reportedly hasn’t gotten an opportunity to start until now because of his performance in practice dating back to training camp, but Belichick said anyone can earn a shot if they make the most of their chances, and it appears this week Zappe has.

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“Every player, whatever opportunities they have, need to do the best with them that they can – practice, games, even in meetings,” Belichick said on Wednesday. “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.”

This wouldn’t mark Zappe’s first big opportunity. Last season as a rookie he appeared in four games after Jones went down with a sprained ankle and struggled upon his return. During that stretch Zappe got two starts and won both, leading New England to a 29-0 blowout of Detroit before turning in by far his most impressive effort as a professional, throwing for 309 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-15 road win over Cleveland.

At that point “Zappe Fever” was in full effect, but while Jones started the following week and was benched following a brutal interception in the second quarter, Zappe’s fortunes ran out as he endured a poor second half in what wound up being a 33-14 loss to the lowly Chicago Bears. Zappe wouldn’t see another snap the rest of the season.

Even if his time in the spotlight was brief, Zappe said that was a valuable experience and that he learned a lot.

“Doing your job, trying to limit turnovers and win,” Zappe said. “We were able to do that those two times so hopefully we’ll carry that over.”

Since those early-career highs Zappe has faced plenty of adversity. He was cut out of training camp and initially re-joined the team on the practice squad. He reportedly struggled to adapt to new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s system, and in Week 6 he was a healthy scratch for New England’s 21-17 loss to Las Vegas.

Along the way Zappe said he drew inspiration from team captain Matthew Slater and kept working so he’d be ready when his number was called.

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“It’s been crazy, been a lot of talks with Slater and the coaches and everything, but it’s part of the journey,” Zappe said. “It’s been fun.”

The flip side of Zappe’s opportunity is its implications for Jones, the former first-round pick whose future with the Patriots is now clouded. Once viewed as the future of the organization, it’s now unclear if Jones will ever start for New England again. With that uncertainty looming, it was hard not to notice the visual when Jones briefly approached his locker while a huge throng of reporters waited three chairs down for his potential replacement.

Still, Zappe said Jones has been supportive this week, as have Will Grier and Malik Cunningham, who has also taken snaps at quarterback and could potentially see time this weekend as well. Whether the job is now Zappe’s to lose or if the baton could keep getting passed around, Zappe said everyone ultimately wants the same thing and they’ll work together to help turn the season around.

“It’s been great. All of us want to win so that’s the main goal,” Zappe said. “We’re going to do everything we can to help each other out.”