“I just saw a very confident quarterback. Someone out there just having fun. Being himself, and just zipping it around and, you know, making the best of opportunities,” Patriots captain David Andrews told the media after the game.
Zappe’s pocket presence was felt throughout the offense, and his confidence never wavered.
His fourth career start marked his best appearance in the NFL yet, and as the Patriots locker room likes to say, he was calm, cool, and collected. Thursday was the sophomore quarterback’s fourth career start and his third win as the starter.
“Zap was balling tonight,” Zeke said after the game.” “He commands our attention in that huddle. He was out there, making the checks, making the points, just has so much confidence, and the offense definitely can feel that.”
The Western Kentucky product knew he’d start sooner rather than later, with a report coming out before the game about the young starter’s conversation with his former offensive coach at Western Kentucky.
“Trust me, I’ve got this. Eventually, I’ll be the starter,” Zappe told his former offensive coordinator after he got cut.
Kaylee Hartung on the TNF broadcast on Bailey Zappe’s confidence (I thought the last part was interesting): pic.twitter.com/eqGg2bbp8j
— Nicole Menner (@NicoleMenner) December 8, 2023
The Patriots quarterback room had a gigantic question mark over the past couple of weeks. Nonetheless, Bill Belichick took a different approach this week, and the whole locker room reportedly knew who was starting on Monday. Giving Zappe extra support and confidence goes a long way, and without a doubt, Zappe should remain the starter for the rest of the season.
“He stepped up when the opportunity presented itself, and, you know, he’s done well,” Hunter Henry told the media. “He’s continuing to get better, and I think the more reps he takes, he’s only going to continue to improve.”
The 24-year-old signal caller took command early and was in sync with offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien throughout the game. Zappe finished with 240 passing yards, completing 19 of 28 attempts and a 115.2 passer rating against the Steelers.
He had a prominent performance without Rhamodre Stevenson, Kendrick Bourne, DeVante Parker, or Demario Douglas. His main target was former Steelers’ wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster. The 27-year old had his best game of the season, recording 90 receiving yards on four catches.
“I just saw a very confident quarterback. Someone out there just having fun, being himself, and just zipping it around and, you know, making the best of opportunities,” JuJu Said.
Thursday’s performance saw a different type of Zappe. The quarterback didn’t depend on his short game and attacked the Steelers’ secondary all night. He attempted six passes past the sticks in the first half alone. Zappe’s completion to JuJu Smith-Schuster on the opening drive was the Patriots’ first successful 30+ yard pass play of the season. The team was 0-16 on throws 30+ yards downfield before Thursday night.
“It comes from those guys,” Zappe said of his complementary teammates. “They help me out a lot. They deserve today. So to be able to have this moment, have it with these guys, to be able to go out there and have a game that we had was awesome.”
The Patriots are now 3-1 with Zappe starting, and although the quarterback has struggled this season dating back to training camp, he’s come through in big moments.
Zappe is only in year two of his rookie contract, so he’s probably worth keeping around.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
