New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, center left, is brought down by Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Calais Campbell, center, right, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25. Jones has been out since but could play tonight, listed as questionable. (AP photo)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Plenty has changed for the New England Patriots offense in the three weeks since Mac Jones took his most recent snap at quarterback.

Two other players have had a chance to lead it. One of them, Brian Hoyer, joined Jones on the sideline following a concussion. And the other, rookie Bailey Zappe, has been one of the biggest surprises of the young season going 2-0 as the starter.

Zappe’s success hasn’t created a legitimate controversy, with Jones possibly healthy enough to return tonight against Chicago from the ankle injury he suffered late in the Week 3 loss to Baltimore.

“I think it feels pretty good,” Jones said. “Just trying to work through all the stuff being able to play in an NFL football game. I want to be able to go out there and help the team. Once I’m there, I’m there.”

He was listed as questionable after participating on a limited basis in each of the team’s practices this week. It necessitated some adjustments as the coaching staff prepared for the potential of Jones or Zappe starting.

But coach Bill Belichick downplayed the significance of the changes they’ve had to make, even with Jones’ return an increased possibility.

“I wouldn’t say two different plans. No,” Belichick said. “There’s always players in a situation where there’s some uncertainty about their availability. That’s the way it is every single week. So depending on who those players are, what the plays are, what we’re talking about, they’re all kind of a little bit different. But we’ll manage them the best we can.”

But if Jones is back in the lineup tonight, he will likely be leading a unit that will continue to employ some of the wrinkles that have made Zappe a success over the past two weeks.

In the three games before his injury, Jones completed 66% of his passes for 786 yards and two touchdowns. Zappe has thrown 70 passes in the three games he’s played (two starts), but is completing 73% and has four TDs.

One of the biggest reasons are the kind of passes they have attempted. Under Jones the offense took more chances downfield, with an average depth of 10.3 yards for Jones’ receivers. That compares with a much safer 6.5-yard average for Zappe’s targets.

In addition, the running game has had more of an emphasis, with the Patriots averaging 147 yards in the three games Zappe has played. It was 115 yards per game under Jones.

The increased effectiveness in the run game has opened the play-action pass for Zappe, who has used it on more than a third of his drop-backs, compared to 10% on Jones’ pass attempts.

It’s a tool that Zappe acknowledged he’s still getting used to.

“Definitely have learned a lot in that aspect,” Zappe said. “That’s something I never really did in college or high school, so when I came here it was kind of a little new world for me. But learning those things that’s something I had to do to be in this position and be in this league.”

Having balance will be important Monday against a Bears defense that ranks third in the NFL, allowing only 178.7 passing yards per game.

New England is also expected to have both of its top two rushers back this week with Damien Harris no longer listed on the injury report with the hamstring injury that kept him out against Cleveland last week.

Whatever happens tonight, Jones said he’s benefited from his time as an observer and has enjoyed helping do what he can to help Zappe flourish. Jones expects that to continue whether he’s back on the field or not on Monday.

“I’ve been in these types of situations before, whether that’s in college or not,” Jones said. “When you’re in, you’re in and you want to have everyone helping you. He’s done a good job stepping up being a young guy. I’ve always had really good mentors and things like that. So that’s my plan.”

BELCHICK LOOKS FOR FITTING HISTORY

Bill Belichick has never hidden his affinity for football history.

New England’s coach is enamored with the game’s evolution and contributions by its pioneers, their names etched like hashmarks in the annals of the sport where he’s spent nearly four decades.

It’s also been Belichick’s nature to shift any praise that’s thrown his way for his triumphs, always downplaying his role in any of the Patriots’ six Super Bowl victories.

A victory Monday night would be the 325th of his career — including the playoffs — and break a tie with Bears founder George Halas for the second-most wins by a head coach in NFL history. Hall of Famer Don Shula at 347 is the only coach with more.

Scott Pioli, who worked with Belichick as a personnel assistant in Cleveland before becoming New England’s personnel director in 2000 and helping the Patriots capture their first three Lombardi trophies, believes this milestone is special for Belichick.

“I think it means a ton,” Pioli told NFL Network. “Some of our earliest conversations were about the history of the game. The people. The franchises. … I think he’s a little bit taken aback that his name is being mentioned along with those people.”

At age 70 and in his 23rd season with New England, Belichick became one of four people to coach at least 400 games with a single team, along with Halas (506 with Chicago), Tom Landry (454 with Dallas) and Shula (422 with Miami).

Among that group, Belichick’s winning percentage (.716) is the highest. He is 287-114 as New England’s coach, including playoffs.

Safety Devin McCourty, in his 13th season with the Patriots, said Belichick’s success has roots in the coach’s standards and consistency.

“I think Bill creates that here, but just always been that same guy,” McCourty said. “Different people have sat in all the rooms and the chairs in (the team facility). And for a long period of time, you’ve seen the same result.”