Patriots still 'love' QB Mac Jones despite drafting Bailey Zappe

Theoretically speaking, the end of an NFL Draft should also signal the completion of the so-called "silly season" portion of the league calendar. This time often features wild rumors regarding trades and other transactions that seem more likely to occur in an edition of "Madden" than in real life. 

That wasn't the case in at least one pro football market on the first Monday of May. 

The New England Patriots raised eyes this past weekend when they spent pick No. 137 overall, a fourth-round choice, on Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe even though New England has 2021 rookie Mac Jones comfortably atop the depth chart this spring. It was then suggested during Monday's edition of WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show" that Jones could now be on a "short leash" with Zappe on the roster. 

It's worth noting the thought process behind such a take may be somewhat understandable. While speaking with reporters at the league's annual meetings in late March, Patriots owner Robert Kraft explained that the 2022 season "will be very telling" regarding Jones' future. 

"I’m very happy with what I’ve seen. But this is a big year, the second year," Kraft added about Jones at that time. 

However, both NFL Network's Mike Giardi and SB Nation's Bernd Buchmasser were among those who quickly poured cold water over the idea that Zappe will take any snaps away from a healthy Jones anytime soon: