Chiefs just confirmed Bailey Zappe was never part of the plan

The Kansas City Chiefs were hoping the Bailey Zappe addition would add an interesting wrinkle to the competition behind Patrick Mahomes this offseason. As it turns out, Bailey's downward trajectory made for one of the team's easiest calls with roster cuts due on Tuesday.

While general manager Brett Veach will eventually release dozens more players from the 90-man roster allowed during the preseason, the team made quick work of Zappe as the first of several to come. NFL reporter Tom Pelissero broke the news of Zappe's departure on Monday.

Zappe joined the Chiefs in mid-March on a one-year deal, shortly after the new league year began. The Chiefs had already signed quarterback Gardner Minshew just 24 hours earlier, and then followed suit with the signing of Zappe to give them a whole new depth chart behind star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Bailey Zappe is the first of several names to come as the Chiefs trim the roster to 53.

To be clear: Zappe's contract, which was a 1-year, $1.1 million deal, made it clear that nothing was guaranteed—literally. Minshew cost the Chiefs about the same amount, but that's because the Las Vegas Raiders were still on the hook for $2 million in 2025 (which means that the Raiders are paying Minshew to play against them).

Instead of changing the conversation around the Chiefs' quarterback position—such as whether the team would ever consider carrying three on the active roster—Zappe couldn't even force a change from Chris Oladokun as the team's scout team quarterback.

Zappe was given considerable playing time in the Chiefs' preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals and came away with two interceptions thrown in 17 attempts. He completed only 8 passes and even took the night's only sack.

From there, the pecking order was made clear as the Chiefs' coaches favored Oladokun. Zappe was given meaningless remnants by the end of the preseason, which painted a clear path toward the waiver wire once again.

Zappe was in his second stint with the Chiefs, so it's a bit surprising that things turned south the way they did. Now Zappe will look for a fourth home in the NFL after starting his career with the New England Patiots and some time with the Cleveland Browns as well.