New England Patriots QB Bailey Zappe (via Getty Images)
The New England Patriots made a few surprising selections during the 2024 NFL Draft, which included their choice to draft a second quarterback in the sixth round after taking their next franchise star, Drake Maye, third overall.
Their second signal caller was Tennessee’s Joe Milton, whom they took with their pick at 193rd overall. This shocked almost everybody, including die-hard Patriots fans who are now questioning the team’s quarterback room.
The Patriots now have five quarterbacks on the roster, including the previously mentioned Maye and Milton, Bailey Zappe, Jacoby Brissett, and former CFL standout Nathan Rourke. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport, one of these QBs could soon be on the trade market.
Rappaport posted to X saying, “With five QBs on the roster, it’s a crowded room for one of last year’s starters, Bailey Zappe.” He then goes on to hint at Zappe’s departure from the franchise, further stating, “he’s likely available in a trade if it makes sense.”
Could Bailey Zappe Be On The Move In New England?
Zappe’s possible departure from New England comes as no surprise. The Patriots took the aforementioned Drake Maye with their highly coveted third overall pick, and he is expected to be the team’s franchise quarterback.
Zappe is considered an outlier on the recently struggling Patriots. He started 10 games in 2023 in relief of the disgruntled and recently traded Mac Jones, who was recently traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars to back up Trevor Lawrence.
In 2023, Zappe completed just over 59 percent of his passes for nearly 1,300 yards and six touchdowns, compared to nine interceptions. This is a far cry from his 2022 season, which saw him complete over 70 percent of his passes for 781 yards and five touchdowns, compared to three picks.
The 25-year-old signal caller clearly has some untapped potential, as he showed in 2022. A change of scenery could be good for Zappe, and if it’s for the right team, he could land a starting role in 2025 and beyond.
