By Steve Atkinson
I’m not sure why Bailey Zappe is still on the Patriots. Really ever since he was drafted in 2022 he thought right away he was the starter. He wasn’t a team player at all from the beginning his arrogant personality is toxic to the quarterback room and team. The Mac Jones Bailey Zappe competition these last two years was a waste of time. Mac was clearly the better quarterback but Zappe didn’t know his place and thought he was the next Brady. It’s one thing to be confident it’s another being overconfident. Zappe has been overconfident for two years and since Mac got traded to the Jaguars he’s acting even more arrogant thinking he’s the starting quarterback.
Bailey Zappe liked a post on Instagram on Sunday in which the NFL page posted that Mac had gotten traded to the Jaguars. After reporters Tweeted that Zappe had liked the post Zappe unliked it. Did he get a talking-to? Does he think he’s the starting quarterback now? Both are probably true. He and the delusional Zappe Fever people are probably over the moon Mac got traded and Zappe can get a shot. If he wasn’t so arrogant I’d be for it but the workout videos with Kendrick Bourne, and throwing sessions it’s like dude, you’re not the starter if anything you’re probably going to get cut.
Even with the signing of Jacoby Brissett who’s the starter by the way Zappe still thinks he’s the starting quarterback. Brissett is a great bridge quarterback because he won’t get in the way of the rookie when Brissett starts to play badly and it’s time to start Drake Maye or whoever they draft in six weeks. However, if Zappe is still on the roster the quarterback room will be just as toxic as it was the last two years with Brissett being the peacemaker. Zappe and his attitude doesn’t belong on the team period.
Here is Eliot Wolf’s comment on changing the culture within the Patriots
They got rid of some of the hard-ass vibes but not all of them. Zappe is probably the biggest one of all. Did people not see him kissing up to Matt Patricia and Joe Judge in 2022? Even Belichick for that matter. All because he wanted to start even though he really wasn’t good enough to start. I thought the Patriots would trade him to Cleveland or something but I hope they take two quarterbacks in the draft just so Zappe can be arrogant on another team.
As the culture changed? Yes so far, but there is plenty more to do and hopefully in six weeks, the Patriots draft two quarterbacks so the culture in the room can be healthy without Zappe in it.