New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe. Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Bailey Zappe already in Patriots Hall of Fame

Even if Bailey Zappe were to never throw another NFL pass, he'll always be in the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

Zappe's jersey from the team's 38-15 win over Cleveland this past Sunday found its way to the Patriots' Hall of Fame. Per the placard next to the jersey, "Zappe became the first NFL rookie quarterback to win his first two career starts and record a 100-plus passer rating in those games," while also "becoming the first Patriots rookie quarterback to win his first home start ... and first road start." 

Zappe filled in for QB Brian Hoyer in Green Bay after Hoyer suffered a concussion and nearly pulled off an improbable win. Zappe began the season as the team's third-string quarterback. The team's starting quarterback, Mac Jones, suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 3. In his two-plus games at quarterback, Zappe is completing 72.9 percent of his passes for 596 yards and four touchdowns with one interception.

In his first three games, Zappe played well enough for people to wonder whether there was a quarterback controversy brewing in Foxborough. Those rumors have been put to rest, with Jones potentially returning as soon as Monday night

Plenty of people expected the Patriots to crater in Jones' absence, but Zappe did his part to keep them afloat. Thanks to his record-setting stretch, the Patriots' Hall of Fame made sure Zappe's contributions won't soon be forgotten.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Pacers ride historic shooting performance to Game 7 blowout of Knicks
Watch: Aaron Judge blasts 13th home run in Yankees' seventh straight win
Knicks' Jalen Brunson suffers serious injury in Game 7 vs. Pacers
Phil Foden lifts Manchester City to fourth consecutive English Premier League title
Dodgers add recently acquired left-hander to active roster
Report: 2023 No. 7 pick expected to terminate KHL contract, join Flyers
Mavericks advance to Western Conference Finals aided by controversial call late
Connor McDavid, Oilers hammer Canucks to force Game 7
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Seize the Grey wins in muddy Preakness
Even Mike Budenholzer admits the Suns need a point guard
Watch: Juan Soto's first multi-homer game as a Yankee
Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa lead at PGA Championship
Knicks could get major boost for Game 7 showdown with Pacers
Giants All-Star pitcher suffers setback in recovery from injury
Panthers star named winner of 2024 Selke Trophy
WNBA to investigate $100,000 sponsorship deals for Aces players
Tiger Woods blames one big factor for missing the cut at PGA Championship
'Ain't good enough': Draymond Green claims Celtics must 'win it all' or it's a 'failure'
Blue Jays GM wants struggling club to feel 'massive sense of urgency'

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.