The Patriots have made a surprising move on deadline day.
According to NFL media’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots have parted ways with quarterback Bailey Zappe and dual-threat quarterback Malik Cunningham.
The Patriots waived quarterback Trace McSorley yesterday, so Mac Jones is now the only listed quarterback on the roster. Of course, that will change in the next couple of days.
A source familiar with the situation told The Patriots Beat if Malik Cunningham clears waivers, he will join the Patriots practice squad.
Zappe, a 2022 fourth-round pick, appeared in four games last season, recording two starts, replacing Brian Hoyer and Mac Jones. Patriots fans chanted “Zappe” and “Zappe fever” numerous times in the middle of last season. Zappe won both the games he started and threw for 781 yards, completing 65 of 92 passes (70%) while throwing five touchdowns and three interceptions.
After Mac Jones took the starting job back in Week 10, there was a quarterback controversy among Patriots fans. And when the Patriots failed to make the playoffs for the second time in three years, many fanatics were calling for Bailey Zappe to take over as the Patriots starting quarterback.
When the media entered the lockerroom after cuts were made. Team captain, Matthew Slater talked about Zappe’s release.
“Certainly, something like that is, I guess, surprising to a lot of us,” Slater said, “I love Bailey. He knows how I feel about him. He’s one of my favorite kids all-time.”
Zappe, 24, didn’t have a sophomore jump many were looking for and struggled this year. He finished the preseason with three fumbles, a 58.6% completion rate, and only threw one touchdown. Out of all the quarterbacks, Zappe received the most snaps in the preseason but only threw for 253 yards.
Meanwhile, the Patriots also released preseason standout quarterback Malik Cunningham. The dual-threat quarterback was an undrafted free agent out of Louisville. The 24-year-old showed his ability to run the football, recording 39 yards on six carries. Cunningham totaled 19 passing yards, completing 3-of-6 passes.
The Patriots will do their due diligence and scour the quarterback market for a backup quarterback. One player to keep an eye on is veteran Colt McCoy.
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.
