Like most of the NFL world, Bailey Zappe was shocked to see his name on the list of Bill Belichick’s training camp cuts this preseason.
According to Patriots.com’s Evan Lazar, “The word that I got from somebody in Zappe’s camp was blindsided. ‘We were as blindsided as you.'”
Obviously, this wasn’t a move the second-year quarterback was anticipating given how he performed in game action in 2022.
ICYMI: here is yesterday’s #Patriots Catch-22. We discussed the Pats initial 53-man roster, Bailey Zappe, 11 OLs, surprise players to make the initial roster, and the Pats reportedly claiming QB Matt Corral. https://t.co/P1eDcYYG4Q
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) September 1, 2023
Zappe has since been picked up on the Patriots practice squad with former Panthers third-round pick Matt Corral now expected to be in the mix for New England’s QB2 spot.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport spoke on the move on a recent episode of “NFL Total Access.”
Mac Jones [is] still the starter on the 53-man roster but he is no longer the only quarterback… My understanding is that Corral and Zappe will compete for the backup job. … But definitely an intriguing flier that the Patriots just took on a young quarterback.
We’ll see how it ultimately shakes out in Foxborough. But it’s certainly a storyline to watch as the season gets underway.