After looking like a nice fourth-round find for the Patriots last season, second-year quarterback Bailey Zappe has reportedly been waived.
Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, New England decided to let go of the 24-year-old backup on Tuesday as part of their training camp cuts.
The #Patriots have waived backup QB Bailey Zappe, source said. A surprise.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 29, 2023
Needless to say, fans were pretty shocked by the move.
“WHAT,” replied Annie Agar.
WHAT
— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) August 29, 2023
“Not as much of a surprise if you suffered thru the NE preseason games…” Bill Simmons tweeted. “He looked really bad.”
Not as much of a surprise if you suffered thru the NE preseason games… he looked really bad. https://t.co/T6Bn4x80VY
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) August 29, 2023
“A moment of silence to remember the three weeks that Patriots fans thought Zappe was the future of the franchise,” a user said.
A moment of silence to remember the three weeks that Patriots fans thought Zappe was the future of the franchise. https://t.co/AfHE1CtgT8
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) August 29, 2023
“An absolute stunner,” commented Evan Lazar. “Zappe didn’t have a good camp, but I didn’t expect this at all. The Patriots must be looking elsewhere for a backup quarterback.”
An absolute stunner. Zappe didn’t have a good camp, but I didn’t expect this at all. The #Patriots must be looking elsewhere for a backup quarterback. https://t.co/8EiQR9gmC3
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 29, 2023
“Wow. That’s a shocker. Bombshell for the Patriots. Zappe had a bad summer, but I didn’t see this coming,” Mark Daniels replied.
Wow. That’s a shocker. Bombshell for the Patriots. Zappe had a bad summer, but I didn’t see this coming. https://t.co/cbD43ctxMA
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) August 29, 2023
“Fever, over,” tweeted NESN’s Zack Cox. “Mac Jones clearly outperformed Zappe this summer, but that’s still a surprise.”
Fever, over.
Mac Jones clearly outperformed Zappe this summer, but that’s still a surprise. https://t.co/P856GkzZmh
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) August 29, 2023
“MALIK CUNNINGHAM BACKUP QB LOOK. OUT.”
MALIK CUNNINGHAM BACKUP QB
LOOK. OUT. https://t.co/poOjzlf1Zy
— Football (@BostonConnr) August 29, 2023
What a difference a year makes.