Another team enters the trade sweepstakes for Patriots QB Bailey Zappe

Well before training camp began this summer, the assumption surrounding Bailey Zappe was that he would inevitably be the odd quarterback out leading into the 2024 season. With Mac Jones traded to the Jaguars and Jacoby Brissett signed as the presumed bridge quarterback, the Patriots began the work to oust Zappe from the roster.

That became more clear when the Patriots used the third overall pick to draft Drake Maye and a sixth-rounder to select Joe Milton. Moving on from the team's backup signal-caller has become a talking point throughout the last few weeks, especially as Zappe has moved down the depth chart.

While he could serve as a solid backup to ensure the only players available to step in for Brissett, the presumed starter, are not rookies, it's unlikely that Jerod Mayo and Co. will resort to carrying four quarterbacks on the roster.

They also won't want to move him to the practice squad, as he could quickly be snatched up by a quarterback-needy team, leaving the Patriots with nothing in return for his departure.

Instead, they might attempt to trade him before rosters need to be cut down on August 27, with a few teams looking like the frontrunners to be interested in getting a deal done. One option opened up last week when Vikings' rookie JJ McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury, leaving Minnesota with only Sam Darnold to be named the starter.

However, they might not be the only team to express interest, as another is dealing with an injured quarterback problem.

Justin Herbert's injury might make the Chargers a potential trade partner for the Patriots

Although Bailey Zappe is unlikely to find a long-term starting job anywhere in the NFL, he has shown enough good play that a desperate team might be willing to take a risk on him for a late-round pick. That is an intriguing return for the Patriots to consider as they hope to create a young and hungry roster through the draft.

So if the Vikings don't make the call to Eliot Wolf, the Chargers might instead.

According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, LA is currently dealing with an injured Justin Herbert while also releasing one of its young quarterbacks on Monday morning. That leaves them with two unproven backups to take over if Herbert can't suit up in Week 1, which isn't a desirable position for LA to be in.

The AFC West team could show some interest in trading for Zappe if he becomes available, which the Patriots might make apparent around the roster cut-down deadline. It would be a sensible trade for both teams and give Zappe another shot at finding a long-term backup role elsewhere in the league.

They could send back the sixth-rounder they are set to receive from the J.C. Jackson trade, or they could send the only seventh-rounder they are set to have next year.

No matter what they might offer, if the Patriots are willing to trade, they should accept it and continue stacking the future draft picks to help continue improving the roster.

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