Bailey Zappe: Everything you need to know

Zappe is serving as the second-team quarterback for the Jets during OTAs, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports. Zappe has nine career regular-season starts, giving him more experience than fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik and second-year pro Brady Cook. With Geno Smith locked in as the team's starter, Zappe, Klubnik and Cook are competing in an "open competition" for the backup role, per Cimini.

Zappe signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on Monday. The state of the Jets' quarterback room is in flux heading into the 2026 campaign, so Zappe looks poised to have a realistic chance at a roster spot. Zappe has 15 NFL appearances (nine starts) under his belt, with all of those having come for the Jets' AFC East rival Patriots, but he didn't appear in a regular-season game in 2025.

Zappe reverted to the Browns' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log. Zappe stepped into the Browns' backup quarterback role behind Shedeur Sanders during Sunday's win over the Steelers due to the absence of Dillon Gabriel (shoulder). Zappe could reprise the QB2 role against the Bengals in Week 18 if Gabriel is not cleared to play.