Zappe failed to lead the Patriots to any points in his first start of the season. He completed just five of 12 passes for 39 yards in the first half, and while Zappe mustered more yardage after halftime, he still didn't move the offense effectively. Mac Jones wasn't much better prior to being benched, so it remains to be seen which quarterback the Patriots will turn to on a short week against the Steelers on Thursday. Per Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site, the team also had plays drawn up for mobile rookie Malik Cunningham, so Cunningham may work his way into the mix under center as well.
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ACTIVELatest Bailey Zappe news
Passing
| Year | Team | GP | ATT | CMP | CMP% | YDS | AVG | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | NE | 5 | 64 | 32 | 50% | 299 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 | NE | 4 | 92 | 65 | 71% | 781 | 9 | 5 | 3 |
Rushing
Zappe failed to lead the Patriots to any points in his first start of the season. He completed just five of 12 passes for 39 yards in the first half, and while Zappe mustered more yardage after halftime, he still didn't move the offense effectively. Mac Jones wasn't much better prior to being benched, so it remains to be seen which quarterback the Patriots will turn to on a short week against the Steelers on Thursday. Per Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site, the team also had plays drawn up for mobile rookie Malik Cunningham, so Cunningham may work his way into the mix under center as well.
Though coach Bill Belichick declined to publicly confirm New England's starting quarterback, the signs leading up to the game pointed to Zappe getting the nod after having taken over for Mac Jones (who is in uniform Sunday) in the second half of a 10-7 loss to the Giants in Week 12. With Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder/illness) both out, Zappe is on track to be working with a thinned-out WR corps. Given the overall state of the team's offense, plus potentially rainy conditions, it wouldn't surprise us to see the Patriots lean toward a run focus as long as the flow of the Sunday's contest permits. Additionally, it's been speculated that the team has prepared a package of plays designed to get practice-squad elevation Malik Cunningham some snaps versus Los Angeles.
Signs have been pointing this direction after Zappe again replaced Mac Jones in last Sunday's embarrassing 10-7 loss to the Giants and then took the bulk of the first-team reps in Wednesday's practice. Zappe also seemed to confirm to the media on Wednesday that he would start versus Los Angeles. The move from Jones to Zappe doesn't move the needle much, if at all, for the New England offense. Zappe is merely a game manager with an ugly 48.7 percent completion rate averaging a pitiful 4.1 yards per attempt on 39 throws this season.
Reiss adds that neither Mac Jones nor the Patriots' other practice-squad quarterback (Will Grier) threw during the early portion of the session. While head coach Bill Belichick has declined to name a starting quarterback for this Sunday's game against the Chargers, the way Wednesday's practice transpired hints at Zappe potentially getting the nod this weekend. During the Patriots' 10-7 loss to the Giants in Week 12, Zappe replaced Jones after halftime and completed nine of 14 passes for 54 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
After Mac Jones threw two interceptions in the first half, Zappe was called upon to lead New England's offense for the final two quarters. Zappe took better care of the ball but was otherwise uninspiring, as he averaged only 3.9 yards per attempt and his longest completion went for 15 yards -- nearly all of which came after the catch. It's unclear who will be under center for New England in Week 13 against the Chargers, as both Zappe and Jones have had problems effectively moving the offense.
Per the report, Jones and Zappe split reps in practice this week, hinting at the possibility that the team could have both players see the field Sunday. Meanwhile, the Patriots waived Will Grier on Saturday and didn't elevate Malik Cunningham from the practice squad ahead of the Week 12 game. Given the uncertainty surrounding the Patriots' quarterback situation, neither Jones nor Zappe look like appealing fantasy options outside of deeper leagues in Week 12.
Zappe has stepped in for Jones three times this season, including in the Patriots' last game Week 10 against the Colts in Germany. Both QBs tossed horrid interceptions in that contest, and afterward coach Bill Belichick wouldn't commit to a starter with a Week 11 bye on tap. After the respite, Belichick again relayed to Evan Lazar of the team's official site Tuesday, "I've told all the players the same thing: be ready to go." Tuesday's happenings may be a glimpse into who will be under center Sunday at the Giants, but the decision between the two may not be made into close to that contest.
The second-year QB made a couple good throws to begin the possession, but with the Patriots out of timeouts, Zappe's attempt to pull a Dan Marino and fake a spike to stop the clock ended in disaster when his downfield toss to Demario Douglas was picked off. It was also an ugly INT that got Jones benched in the first place, so neither QB distinguished himself if the starting job is indeed up for grabs. New England's coaching staff will have a bye next week to sort out the mess under center before facing the Giants in Week 12.
Team
New England Patriots
Birthdate
4/26/1999 (24)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'1", 215 lbs
Draft Info
2022: Rd 4; Pk 137 (NE)
Birthplace
Victoria, TX, USA
Position
QB
College
Western Kentucky
Experience
2nd season
Career History
New England Patriots
2022 - Present
(2 seasons)
Previous Game
0
Final
6
52%
CMP%
141
YDS
0
TD
2023 Season Stats
YDS
CMP
TDS
INT
CMP%
299
32
0
2
50%
|
Recent Games
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passing
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rushing
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Date
|
Opp
|
Result
|
ATT
|
CMP
|
CMP%
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TD
|
INT
|
CAR
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TD
|
LNG
|
FD
|
|
12/3
|
L 0-6
|
25
|
13
|
52
|
141
|
5.6
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
16
|
4
|
0
|
5
|
0
|
|
|
11/26
|
L 7-10
|
14
|
9
|
64.3
|
54
|
3.9
|
0
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
11/12
|
L 6-10
|
7
|
3
|
42.9
|
25
|
3.6
|
0
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
10/8
|
L 0-34
|
9
|
3
|
33.3
|
22
|
2.4
|
0
|
0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
10/1
|
L 3-38
|
9
|
4
|
44.4
|
57
|
6.3
|
0
|
0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
