The Patriots are currently rostering four quarterbacks, but the team is expected to resolve the crowded depth chart as soon as possible. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, the Patriots’ plan is to “narrow the competition down to three guys by the end of spring.”
With OC Alex Van Pelt installing a new offense, the Patriots are hoping for a “more efficient” approach by the time the team gets together in the summer. New England’s organized team activities started today and will run sporadically until mandatory minicamp on June 11. The front office will presumably use that following month to resolve the logjam.
After being selected with the third-overall pick, rookie Drake Maye will obviously take up one of the roster spots. Free agent acquisition Jacoby Brissett will also be on the roster, and Breer notes that the veteran still has “an early leg up” on the QB1 spot. Assuming the Patriots intend to roster a third quarterback, the competition for the final spot will come down to Bailey Zappe and rookie Joe Milton III.
Zappe, a former fourth-round pick, has spent the past two seasons in New England, occasionally filling in for Mac Jones. Zappe went 4-4 in his eight career starts, and in his 14 appearances, he’s completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. After showing some promise as a rookie, Zappe seemed to take a step back in 2023, with some sources pointing to his inability to grasp Bill O’Brien‘s offensive system. Zappe’s ability to click with Van Pelt could end up determining his future with the organization.
Milton was selected in the sixth round of the Patriots, so he’s not necessarily entitled to a roster spot. Known more as a developmental passer, the Michigan and Tennessee product is known for his size (six-foot-five, 235 pounds) and his cannon of an arm. With Maye and Brissett firmly atop the depth chart, the Patriots may opt for the rookie’s upside vs. the more experienced option in Zappe.
I think it’s easy to say zappe is the odd man out. Brisset should start, maye the backup n Milton on the PS
agree. if zappe for some reason is starting somewhere in the season, it’s probably already over.
Is Zaope not worth a 7th round pick for a team with limited backup options like — let’s say Denver, New Orleans, or Carolina?
I’m still pretty confused why the Patriots drafted Milton. The team had a bunch of needs to address in the draft and used the #3 pick on their qb of the future. Makes no sense to draft a developmental project type qb that’s on the same contractual timeline as Maye.
Yeah. I don’t think it matters all that much with the 193rd pick in a draft that was seen as notably weak at the bottom, but I also don’t think Milton has any realistic shot at playing meaningful snaps as a QB in the NFL. With his physical prowess I could see him being converted to another position (even if it doesn’t make use of his wild cannon).
It didn’t make sense to take Kirk Cousins the same year as RGIII as well.
I’m not saying this is going to work out like that. But, nothing wrong with taking a lottery ticket at QB.
The Patriots have 3 guys on staff with QB coach experience. Brissett has similar physical profile to Milton as well, and he’s another presence for him go learn.
99% chance he never does anything. But that 1% chance to be Brady or even Cassell makes it worthwhile IMO.
Zappe is done in NE. They’ve had 2 years to evaluate what he has and it wasn’t enough to keep them from bringing Brissette on board.
They also cut Zappe out of camp last year. He’s a pretty limited QB.
I think the Patriots should have offered Brian Hoyer a QB coaching job. He’s been in various offensive systems during his career and would be able to give the Patriots young guys some valuable advice.
I hate when someone says because someone was drafted later in the draft that makes them the odd man out. The best player should win out. The Brady’s, Prescotts, Purdys, etc of the world have been unforeseen gems. Some guys who don’t show it in college thrive in the NFL while there are plenty of busts who can’t adjust to the NFL. If they’re expendable with no chance they wouldn’t waste a pick on them in any round