Bailey

Zappe

Zappe had been on the Chiefs practice squad this season. The Browns last week lost Deshaun Watson for the season with an Achilles injury. Zappe will likely be an emergency third quarterback on game days behind Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Zappe in 2023 played in ten games for the Patriots, completing 60 percent of his passes for six touchdowns and nine interceptions. He ranked 35th in out 36 qualifying QBs in EPA per play.

Zappe was waived — again — by the Patriots, but the former fourth-round pick out of Western Kentucky might have failed up. Kansas City kept just two quarterbacks this year: some guy named Patrick and Carson Wentz, so Zappe will begin the year as the QB3 with a chance to be active — but not a fantasy recommendation — if either of those players were to miss time in 2024.

It’s the second year in a row Zappe has been cut loose at final cuts. He’s unlikely to be brought back this time after the Pats signed Jacoby Brissett and used a lottery pick on Drake Maye. 25-year-old Zappe’s 2023 lowlight was a game-sealing pick on a fake snap. Zappe’s phone won’t be ringing off the hook for practice squad/No. 3 help. Also waived/released by the Patriots on Tuesday were S Joshuah Bledsoe, T Kellen Diesch, OL Liam Fornadel, LB Joe Giles-Harris, RB Kevin Harris, RB Terrell Jennings, LB Kobe Jones, WR Matt Landers, G Atonio Mafi, DE Jotham Russell, K Chad Ryland, S A.J. Thomas, CB Shaun Wade, WR David Wallis and TE Mitchell Wilcox.

Maye started OTAs playing behind starter Jacoby Brissett and backup Bailey Zappe. This should not be read as a major development as the team is likely just giving Maye an opportunity to play against higher-quality defenders and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt reiterated “Jacoby, again, is our starter.”

We shouldn’t read too much into this, but it is worth noting where the rookie currently stands in the pecking order. The Patriots don’t appear eager to rush Maye into anything he’s not comfortable with — especially this early into the offseason, allowing him to work behind Zappe on the first day of OTAs. Kyed also noted earlier that head coach Jerrod Mayo is impressed with the work Maye has put in since joining the team, saying that Maye has been spotted working by himself in the quarterback room to learn the offense. We wouldn’t expect Maye’s status as the QB3 to carry over into the regular season, but at least we know where he stands at this point in the offseason.

The Patriots don’t have much to offer at the quarterback position at this point. With Mac Jones now in Jacksonville, and Bailey Zappe boasting a career line of 2,053-11-12 in 14 career games, it’s hard to argue that Brissett isn’t the best quarterback currently on the roster. The biggest threat to Brissett being the starter likely lies in what the Patriots decide to do with the No. 3 overall pick. Picking at the top of a strong quarterback class, it’s widely believed the Patriots could take a shot on a franchise quarterback in next month’s draft. If they were to go that route, Brissett’s days as a starter could be limited.

Egads. It was an exclamation point on multiple eras in Foxborough, beginning with Zappe’s. A player the Pats thought so little of they exposed him to waivers in August before briefly stashing him on the practice squad, Zappe did nothing to save legendary coach Bill Belichick’s job after BB grew desperate enough to bench Mac Jones in December. Simply lacking the physical tools it takes to succeed in the NFL, Zappe does not profile as a long-term backup, whether it is in New England or elsewhere. “Elsewhere” is the strong betting favorite for 2024.

It was a rough start for Zappe, who had three interceptions before the Patriots scored any offensive points. However, credit to Zappe for hanging in there, using his legs to keep drives alive, and taking short gains over the middle of the field when the Bills allowed. He certainly didn’t do anything special, but he kept his composure when the game could have easily gotten out of hand. His longest play in the first half was a 48-yard screen pass to Kevin Harris, who eluded defenders for a big gain, and then he connected with Jalen Reagor for 39 yards on a beautiful deep ball in the second half. Zappe’s rushing touchdown was also the first of his career. The Bills sent a blitz and when Zappe stepped up into the pocket, there wasn’t a single defender between him and the end zone on his 19-yard rush. While the rushing was a nice treat, there are just not enough weapons in New England to recommend playing Zappe against the Jets in Week 18. The Patriots should be looking for an upgrade under center in 2024.

Dinking and dunking like he came out of the womb doing so, Zappe was engineering a perfect road game management — save for his lost fumble on the literal first play — before falling asleep as the Pats blew a 23-7 fourth quarter lead. He saved his best for last, earning his first and only first down of the final frame with 0:23 remaining to set the Pats up for a game-winning field goal. Zappe targeted Demario Douglas, DeVante Parker and Ezekiel Elliott 24 total times compared to seven for every other pass catcher. Continuing to show nothing in the way of streamability, Zappe has a Week 17 road date with the desperate Bills.

Zappe completed nine consecutive passes to open the day and threw a touchdown pass to Hunter Henry on a fourth and one for his only touchdown pass on the day. Zappe showed pinpoint accuracy at times, but as expected, he and the Patriots struggled to find any consistent rhythm, as the second-year signal caller also absorbed four sacks. Despite the offense’s struggles, Zappe has looked better than former starter Mac Jones and should have a chance to start again in Week 16 against the Broncos.