After selecting Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and adding another quarterback, Joe Milton III, in the sixth round, the Patriots were in a tricky spot with their quarterback roster. They had already decided to trade former starter Mac Jones to the Jaguars but still had Bailey Zappe on the team in hopes of giving him a chance to compete for a backup role.
He would have been the longest-tenured quarterback player outside of Jacoby Brissett, and his knowledge of the offense could have been a big factor in keeping him around long-term.
It looked like that might be the plan until the Patriots chose to waive him during the preseason, and he eventually signed with the Chiefs practice squad for the 2024 season. Because Patrick Mahomes is nowhere near stepping away from football, so it limited Zappe's potential starting future, ultimately leading to him signing with the Browns.
Their chaotic quarterback room meant that he might have a chance to get on the field at some point this season, and that is exactly what is about to happen to him this week. Deshaun Watson is out with a season-ending injury, and the coaching staff has benched his backup, Jameis Winston, leaving Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the starting lineup.
However, he has reportedly suffered an injury that might require him to miss Cleveland's Week 17 game, allowing Zappe to potentially be the starter against the Dolphins.
Bailey Zappe could have another chance to prove to the NFL he is a starting quarterback
The Browns are coming off a big loss to the Bengals on Sunday, and although it was expected, it's even worse seeing that they might have lost their quarterback in the process.
Because of that, Zappe could be given the reins this week while preparing to take on the Dolphins, and it could be a prime opportunity for the former Patriots starter to prove that he can be the QB1 for a team in the NFL, something he would otherwise not have the chance to do.
It will inevitably put a lot of pressure on Zappe to perform, but if he hopes to make a career in the league beyond being just a backup, then he will need a solid showing against a tough team like Miami to remind people of the skillset he has, especially since his tape from the 2023 season is far from impressive.
At the very least, a good performance could lock down a backup role in Cleveland beyond the 2024 season. Because they're not in a position to draft their next franchise quarterback due to their draft positioning and Watson's horrendous contract, there is a lot of opportunity for Zappe to eventually earn that role if he can impress the organization.