Drafting two quarterbacks in April, the Patriots didn’t seem to have room for Bailey Zappe on their 53-man roster. They’re reducing the third-year passer, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports.
As Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye
vie for the New England starting job, Zappe had competed with sixth-rounder Joe Milton throughout the preseason. Zappe will not be but a vested vet and might want to clear waivers, although the Western Kentucky alum has been on this state of affairs earlier than. The Pats waived him final 12 months as effectively.
Not exhibiting development in Invoice O’Brien‘s offense final summer time, Zappe obtained a lower discover throughout Invoice Belichick‘s closing offseason in cost. However the group circled again to the previous fourth-round decide through the observe squad. Zappe returned to New England’s 53-man roster and ultimately changed Mac Jones as a starter. Zappe made six begins final season, being answerable for two wins in a 4-13 Pats marketing campaign.
General, Zappe has began eight video games in two seasons. He’s a 63.2% passer who holds an 11-to-12 TD-to-INT ratio. Zappe, who threw a Division I-FBS-record 62 landing passes throughout his lone season with the Hilltoppers, has averaged 6.8 yards per try as a professional. He has performed in three Pats offenses in three years. Will probably be fascinating to see if a group makes a declare this 12 months; nobody submitted it in 2023.
Milton, a cannon-armed prospect out of Tennessee, arrived as a developmental participant in Spherical 6. Milton wowed observers along with his arm power this summer time, although his preseason outings have left appreciable room for enchancment. Milton solely accomplished 36.7% of his passes (11-for-30) throughout the Pats’ exhibition slate. Zappe went 15 of 25 throughout his preseason work, however the Patriots have seen loads of his type. They’ll gauge Milton’s growth shifting ahead.
