AUGUST 30: The Patriots will retain Zappe, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, who reports the second-year passer will be part of New England’s practice squad. Ditto Cunningham, who will make this a rare two-quarterback P-squad, Schefter adds. Though, Cunningham could certainly be used in myriad capacities. While the Pats are still on the hunt for a veteran option, they will attempt to continue developing the former record-setting Western Kentucky QB.
AUGUST 29: For the second straight day, the Patriots have parted with a depth quarterback. Bailey Zappe has been waived, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The same is true of rookie UDFA Malik Cunningham, notes colleague Tom Pelissero. 
These moves certainly constitute more of a surprise than New England’s decision to cut Trace McSorley yesterday. The latter was in line to sit no higher than third on the QB depth chart, and the Patriots – like many other teams around the league – appeared set to carry only two passers on their active roster. They will do so, but for at least the time being it remains to be seen who their backup will be come Week 1.
With McSorley, Zappe and Cunningham all off the roster, New England’s QB room currently begins and ends with Mac Jones. The latter is in place as the undisputed starter – after head coach Bill Belichick notably declined to confirm that over the course of an offseason in which tension between the two was widely publicized. Any further moves at the position will now be worth watching closely.
Jones regressed in 2022 after New England entrusted Matt Patricia and Joe Judge with leading the team’s offense. That pair has been replaced by Bill O’Brien, whose return to the organization has led to expectations for improvement from Jones individually and the passing game as a whole. Zappe would have been expected to remain a part of that process, though that could still be the case if he goes unclaimed and resorts to the practice squad.
The 2022 fourth-rounder made four appearances (and a pair of starts) during his rookie campaign, drawing praise for his performances and posting a 2-0 record. A controversy briefly appeared to exist between Zappe and Jones, a 2021 first-rounder. The latter finished out the campaign, though, and he will carry on in the starter’s role to begin an important campaign which will go a long way in determining his future in the organization.
Cunningham played quarterback at Louisville, producing sizeable numbers in the run game in particular. He went undrafted, but secured a notable guarantee from the Patriots to head to New England as a developmental prospect. The 24-year-old spent time as a receiver in training camp, and his success in the summer seemed to assure him of a roster spot in some capacity. The decision to move on from McSorley pointed toward Cunningham having a better chance at the QB3 spot, but that is now in question.
The Patriots will likely be aiming to sneak Zappe through waivers, but such a strategy with a recent draftee carries a notable degree of risk. An outside addition could be coming as well – one would become necessary if both Zappe and Cunningham were to be claimed – so New England will remain a team to watch at quarterback position. On that point, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes that the Patriots hope to retain Zappe, while Colt McCoy (who was surprisingly released by the Cardinals yesterday) is a veteran on their radar.
Is he going to the practice squad? Some teams out there could use The Zapper.
He’s going to the Jets!
Bills will definitely grab Zappe, confused why the Pats cut ties
Bill maybe worried about the crowds chanting for Zappe by the second half of game one. Problem solved…
That’s fair, hard to imagine he had zero trade value though
Didn’t see that coming. Maybe dolphins will sign Zappe. Cunningham could be a raven because his similar style to Lamar and Huntley.
Philly should pick up B-Zap….for Week One anyways!
And ZAPPE!…just like that, you’re out of a job.
Another great draft pick the Bill. The guy clearly is overmatched as GM.
You’ve got Bill so annoyed with your comments here that he’s considering loaning me surveillance equipment so I can gain an edge on you in our fantasy league…lol.
All I do I point out the facts. Zappe was their 4th round pick last year. Didn’t make it to year 2? That’s bad drafting. What else can it be?
Mac played well his rookie year. Mac should have made a nice sophomore jump but that OC situation destroyed his opportunity to take a positive step forward. Putting Zappe on the field last year hoping he could play better in that horrible situation was foolish on Bill’s part. Perhaps Bill is trying to give Jones a vote of confidence by letting him know he is the guy and no one is there to supplant him.
Which means you are right that it was a waste of a 4th round pick.
And who hired the former ST & DC coordinators to run the O last year? W/O Tom, there is nothing that says Bill is average at being a HC & GM (7-8 years to look at. Not 1 or 2). Not in NE and not in Cleveland. He got lucky on a 6th round pick. That’s Bill’s legacy. If Tom was drafted by another team, Bill would have been canned over a decade ago. That’s a fact.
I know better than to pursue a discussion with you here arty! because there’s no chance of getting a former Marine to retreat…lol.
I’ll see you at the draft! 3 days away(?). Cheers to a great season. Good luck.
The draft is Sunday September 3rd at 7:30 pm EST, I emailed you earlier with the info. Please let me know if that time and date work for you. Sorry for the late response.
The pick was good, as Zappe showed in his time in relief, but this move makes no sense. Why waive him? Zappe is sure to be picked up, and he makes sense as a backup. Did New England try to trade him? Seems that some teams would have made an offer (Rams, Cardinals, division rival Bills). I get trying to move him to the practice squad, but that does’t work with guys that will get picked up. I agree that it’s a bad move for Belichick.
New Eagles backup
I hope so.
Not a chance in h-e-“double hockey sticks” that Zappe gets through waivers.
Would love to have him on the Rams as a backup
Belichick making room for Nathan Peterman
I think Nathan says a prayer each night that Gruden returns because Chucky was a big fan.
Is this a low key admit that they are tanking for Caleb Williams? I mean, going into a season with only MCCorkle as your starter is pretty much you admitting you don’t care about winning…
The guy that came in second for ORoY and went to the playoffs his rookie season? I get he had a down year to an impossibly bad coaching decision, but that guy’s your pick for “tank quarterback”?
That dude that limped his way into the playoffs and got absolutely embarrassed by the Bills? That ball would still be floating in orbit if Mycah Hyde hadn’t mercifully picked it off.. everyone trying to say he was a “pro-bowler” neglects the inconvenient truth that he was the 9/10 backup only because the AFC needed 3 QBs. Go to YouTube and watch his skills challenge against a washed up Russ Wilson. He flat out sucked. He still sucks. He is the worst QB in the AFCE and Bill knows this. Love Pats fans that can’t understand it was Brady. Mac Sucks, Belly sucks…. Pats in fourth with no playoffs.
I know that you’ve *checks records* never posted anything positive on the site ever, but my point was not that Jones is the best. It simply was that he wasn’t the worst in the league (I.e., a “tank quarterback” as you implied). He might be the worst QB in the AFC East (it’s arguable between him and Tua, but I don’t think that either is bad-one good or bad season this year could drastically change the perception of either one) , but the East has two very good quarterbacks at the top. I never thought that I’d have to defend Bill Belichick of all people. Have you ever posted something on the site that wasn’t as extreme and negative as possible?
Can you refute anything..? Or you pissed that my comments don’t paint the joke of a GM Bill Belly in a good light?
Okay, if you REALLY want to do this…
I gave you some arguments. Mac Jones finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, he went to the playoffs, and last year a terrible coaching decision was to blame for his performance. You brought up additionally that he was a Pro Bowler. I did not, because one Pro Bowl doesn’t prove much in my opinion.
Here’s some more, though, to reward your lack of ability to do this yourself: Jones not only finished second in ORoY voting, the player he lost to was Ja’Marr Chase, who is certainly a force of nature at WR. Jones, for his part, finished with by far the highest grade of all the rookie quarterbacks that year (not that it’s a huge factor, but Jones went 15th in that draft, and was the 5th QB picked). Jones graded out at 80.4 overall. Second was Justin Fields…at 64.2. Jones additionally finished with 79 passing grade to Fields’ 60.8. Additionally, Jones was the only rookie QB to even have a whole number as his estimated WAR. Fields, the next closest, came in at 0.61. Jones? 2.88.
I can hear it already, so don’t bother typing-“stats are just numbers” and there’s no way I or anyone else here can force you or anyone else to accept, I don’t know, the existence of numbers. But before you do that, consider this: prior to Jones’ rookie year, the Patriots’ record was 7-9 in a year where they lost most of their experienced leaders as starters on both sides of the ball (Hightower, Chung, Edelman, and of course, Brady) and started Cam Newton. In Jones’ rookie year, the Patriots’ record was 10-7. Do the-oh, fine, I might as well do that, too. That’s about 3 wins. Pretty close, I’d say. I understand that he had a down year last year (a very bad year), which I won’t argue, but will say that he also a defensive coordinator running the offense in his year back after getting fired for being too bad to coach the Lions (old Lions, no disrespect meant to the impressive Dan Campbell).
I also actually think that Belichick’s managerial decision have quite suspect for the last two seasons at least, but I also am not simple enough to use those two seasons to substitute for the sheer avalanche of brilliant (if suspicious) coaching that he has done for the last four decades (yes, Belichick was a coach before Brady. And even before Kosar! What a world!). I understand the impact that having a legendary quarterback has on a franchise. What I don’t understand why I have to do all the work here.
You chose to ignore these points, as you often do, but to be honest, you’re kind of the forum troll. You just post extreme negative takes on every article that you comment on. You’ve never contributed anything of material value to any conversation that I’ve ever read on this site, other than steaming hot takes and seemingly intentional irascibility. I don’t see the need to put any more effort into this discussion, because soon I’ll probably have to start providing your side of it as well.
Much to about nothing….. Zappe will be resigned, and Cunningham will be on Practice squad.
Zappe will be claimed on waivers, they won’t have a chance to sign him back
SEE ABOVE— Just like I said…. over reactions are comical
Pretty odd move – even for Belichick. Zappe is not an NFL starter, but it’s not like there is anybody better out there. Perhaps Belichick is hoping that the Raiders will cut Bryan Hoyer.
Doesn’t anybody see what’s happening, 86d the QB room why … Tom Brady in his triumphant return !
No way someone claims Zappe…..zero zap in that arm
honestly floored no one wanted Zappe
I hate giving Bill credit for anything, but this is sneaky good roster management. Bill is taking criticism for this, but he gambled and won. He does he save a roster spot.
With the new PS elevation rule, he can still use Zappe on gameday without tying up a roster spot.
I still think he is way overrated and a cheater, but this is savvy.
Savvy? What would he have done if Zappe wasn’t available? Unless he was planning to tank the season, it’s still a bizarre move and a huge gamble. He lucked out…
Yes, thats true. I noted it was a bit of a gamble.
but lets not kid ourselves…
Comparable players to Zappe are available right now.
He isnt passing top tier talent through exposure.