Patriots' Bailey Zappe: Ready to compete if opportunity knocks
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Zappe indicated that he'll be ready if presented with the opportunity to compete with Mac Jones for the Patriots' starting QB job, Eric Edholm of NFL.com reports. "If my opportunity presents itself, I'm going to take full advantage of it," Zappe noted Wednesday. "I'm going to do everything I can to help the team win. That's really all I can say from that standpoint. That's coach (Bill) Belichick's decision, whatever he decides. But if the opportunity presents itself, I'm going to be ready and take advantage of it."
As a rookie, Zappe started two games while Jones dealt with an ankle injury, and overall the 2022 fourth-rounder recorded 65 completions on 92 passing attempts for 781 yards with five TDs and three picks in four appearances. Given that Belichick declined last month to specifically confirm Jones as the Patriots' starter this coming season, there's been speculation that Zappe could make a run at the job this summer. However, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com relays via team sources that the Patriots appear committed to seeing if Jones can get back on track after an uneven 2022 campaign while at the same time being amenable to Zappe pushing the 2021 first-rounder in his third season as a pro. In any case, following the offseason departure of Brian Hoyer, Jones and Zappe are currently the top two quarterbacks on New England's roster, with the team likely to add depth at the position in the coming weeks and months.
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Patriots' Bailey Zappe: Starts two games as rookie
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Zappe finished the 2022 season with 65 completions on 92 passing attempts for 781 yards with five TDs and three picks in four appearances.
The 2022 fourth-rounder saw two starts as a rookie when Mac Jones was sidelined by an ankle injury and didn't look out of place in doing so. Looking ahead, Zappe is line to reprise his backup role behind Jones next season, while veteran signal caller Brian Hoyer is also under contract with the team through 2023.
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Patriots' Bailey Zappe: Enters in relief in loss
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Zappe completed 14 of 22 passes for 185 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Monday's 33-14 loss to the Bears.
Zappe entered the game early in the second quarter in relief of the benched Mac Jones and immediately jumpstarted the New England offense, throwing for a 30-yard touchdown on his first possession while connecting on a 43-yard completion to DeVante Parker to set up another score on New England's next drive. However, Zappe cooled off considerably in the second half, completing only nine of his 16 passes for 76 yards to go along with both of his picks. Even so, he appears to have performed well enough to be considered for a Week 8 start against the Jets, and he may have created a genuine quarterback controversy in New England.
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Patriots' Bailey Zappe: Returns to backup role
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Coach Bill Belichick told Scott Zolak of 98.5 The Sports Hub that Mac Jones (ankle) will start for the Patriots on Monday against the Bears, relegating Zappe to backup duties.
While Jones is back following a three-game absence due to a high left-ankle sprain, it isn't out of the question that Zappe will be a part of the game plan in Week 7, according to Evan Lazar of the team's official site. Leading the Patriots to a 2-1 record in place of Jones, Zappe completed 73 percent of his passes for 596 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. If he mixes into the offense Monday though, Zappe seems likely to have a limited snap count, if any.
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Patriots' Bailey Zappe: Eclipses 300-yard mark in win
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Zappe completed 24 of 34 passes for 309 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Patriots' 38-15 win over the Browns on Sunday. He also netted minus-4 yards on three rushes and lost a fumble.
The rookie's remarkable starting run continued in fine fashion Sunday, with Zappe setting new career highs in completions, pass attempts, passing yards and touchdown passes. Zappe's one turnover came on a strip sack by Myles Garrett late in the first quarter in New England territory, but the Patriots defense was subsequently up to the task by turning the Browns over on downs in the ensuing possession. Zappe's tenure under center may be coming to an end for now with Mac Jones (ankle) ostensibly having a good chance of returning for a Week 7 Monday night home battle against the Bears, but he's arguably shown enough to perhaps keep the No. 2 job even when Brian Hoyer (IR-concussion) is healthy enough to return.
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Patriots' Bailey Zappe: Effective in Week 5 spot start
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Zappe completed 17 of 21 passes for 188 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Patriots' 29-0 win over the Lions on Sunday. He also rushed five times for five yards and committed a fumble recovered by New England.
The rookie had acquitted himself well in emergency duty against the Packers in Week 4, and he put together another competent, game-manager-like performance Sunday in which he had the luxury of leaning heavily on his running game. Zappe did his part by limiting his turnovers as well and not taking any sacks, and he connected with Jakobi Meyers for a nifty 24-yard touchdown toss in the third quarter. Mac Jones (ankle) could reportedly return in Week 6 to face the Browns on the road, but Zappe now has some game reps under his belt and therefore would have a chance to keep the Patriots afloat in a favorable matchup if he had to draw a second straight start.
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Patriots' Bailey Zappe: Draws Week 5 start
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Zappe will start at quarterback for the Patriots in Sunday's game against the Lions with Mac Jones (ankle) inactive for the contest.
Jones was also out in Week 4 against the Packers, and after veteran backup Brian Hoyer (who is now on IR) was forced out of last Sunday's contest with a concussion at the end of New England's second offensive series, Zappe stepped and completed 10 of 15 passing attempts for 99 yards with one touchdown. This time around, Zappe was able to gear up for the assignment, and the 2022 fourth-rounder offers a Week 5 fantasy alternative to those who roster Jones or are in QB-heavy leagues.
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Patriots' Bailey Zappe: Likely Week 5 starter
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With Mac Jones (ankle) listed as doubtful, Zappe is trending toward starting Sunday's game against the Lions, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.
Given that Brian Hoyer (concussion) is on IR, Zappe will draw the start Sunday if Jones can't, with Garrett Gilbert a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad to serve as his backup. If Zappe does indeed make his first regular-season NFL start this weekend, he'd be a speculative option in most fantasy formats, but he does offer an option to those who roster Jones or are in QB-heavy leagues.
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Patriots' Bailey Zappe: Makes NFL debut
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Zappe replaced Brian Hoyer (head) in the first quarter of Sunday's game versus the Packers and completed 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown but lost a fumble in a 27-24 overtime loss.
Zappe entered the game for New England's third offensive drive, making his NFL debut at Lambeau Field. Although the Patriots initially struggled to move the ball and Zappe was stripped while being sacked prior to halftime, the fourth-rounder was more settled in the second half. In fact, with a 25-yard score to DeVante Parker, Zappe became the first rookie quarterback to throw a touchdown pass this season. Although that play could've been blown dead for delay of game, Zappe still helped his team push for an improbable victory in unexpected circumstances, acquitting himself nicely overall. Ahead of Week 5's game versus the Lions, though, Zappe may play only if both Mac Jones (ankle) and Hoyer (head) remain sidelined.
