New England Patriots QB facing being unemployed after he was cut last year only for team to make a dramatic U-turn
QUARTERBACK Bailey Zappe could soon follow Mac Jones out the door at the New England Patriots.
The ex-Western Kentucky standout is fighting for the third-string QB role in Foxboro despite Jones' trade to the Jacksonville Jaguars in March.
The Patriots selected two quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL draft, Drake Maye at No. 3 overall and Joe Milton III in the sixth round.
They also signed veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett — who's likely to get the starting QB job in Week 1 — in the offseason.
All four passers played in New England's 17-3 preseason opener win against the Carolina Panthers.
Zappe, 25, went 12-for-20 for 108 yards in the third quarter, notably being welcomed by boos from the stands at Gillette Stadium.
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The former fourth-round pick's night only got worse when Milton, 24, impressed after coming in relief in the fourth period.
The Tennessee product completed four of his six pass attempts for 54 yards and a touchdown, the only passing TD of the game.
After the preseason clash, Bleacher Report published a list of NFL players likely to get cut before the 2024 season kick-off.
"Unfortunately for Zappe, he just doesn't possess the dual-threat ability, arm talent, or wow factor of Milton," the outlet said.
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"Assuming the Patriots only keep three quarterbacks on the roster, Zappe will probably be the odd man out.
"If Milton continues to perform as he did last Thursday, there's no way New England could stash him on the practice squad."
Zappe was cut before the start of last season before New England being signed to the practice squad and landing back on the active roster a few days later
He then became a fans' favorite as Jones' struggles in Foxboro continued last season.
Still, the boos he heard last week left him unfazed.
"When it was happening the opposite way, it really didn't bother me," Zappe said after the Panthers matchup.
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"When it's happening this way, it didn't bother me at all, either."
Zappe started six games for the Patriots in 2023.
He finished the campaign with 1,272 passing yards, six touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
The quarterback added another score in the running game.
In his two years with New England, Zappe logged 2,053 passing yards, 11 TDs, and 12 interceptions.
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He's pocketed about $2.2 million on career earnings.
Zappe is entering the final year of his current deal, set to earn him $985,000.