Patriots OC Bill O’Brien talks QB Bailey Zappe amid possible demotion

It sounds like New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien isn't ready to give up on backup quarterback Bailey Zappe quite yet.

"Bailey’s a much-improved player," O'Brien said while speaking with reporters via a Tuesday video call, per Patriots beat reporter Dakota Randall of NESN. "I think every year is different when it comes to (head coach Bill Belichick’s) decisions with (personnel executive) Matt Groh, relative to what the 53-man roster can look like. Those are conversations that I’m not really a part of. I know Bailey has improved. I’m really happy that he’s back with us." 

Zappe filled in as a rookie last season when starter Mac Jones was injured and played well enough for many to assume the 2022 fourth-round draft pick would compete with Jones for the starting job this summer. However, it was reported ahead of this past weekend that Zappe proved to be "less of a fit" in O'Brien's offense compared to how the 24-year-old performed under former offensive assistants Matt Patricia and Joe Judge last year. 

The Patriots waived Zappe after their preseason finale but then re-signed him to the practice squad before they claimed 2022 third-round draft choice Matt Corral off waivers from the Carolina Panthers. It's unclear whether Zappe or Corral will serve as New England's backup for the club's season opener versus the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles this coming Sunday.

"Bailey’s a young player, as a lot of these guys are," O'Brien added. "When you talk about a guy only going into his second year, there’s a lot of improvement that’s been made, and there’s a good future. And so, it’s really good we have Bailey back."

Belichick said Monday that Jones "had a really solid spring and camp" and "made a lot of improvement over the course of the spring and training camp." 

Zappe theoretically could re-enter the lineup as soon as this Sunday if Jones suffers an injury but only if the product of Western Kentucky wins the primary backup job over Corral.