Browns QB Makes Career Decision on Monday

The Cleveland Browns are out a quarterback. Bailey Zappe, who spent this season on the Browns' practice squad, signed a futures contract with the New York Jets on Monday.

Zappe started for the Browns in Week 18 of the 2024 season and made eight starts for the New England Patriots the two seasons before that. Bill Belichick and the Patriots drafted Zappe in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

"Everyone's criteria is always a little different, but what I saw is a guy who sees, anticipates and processes, all from the pocket, combined with some accuracy and the ability to make all the throws because he has plenty of arm," former NFL GM Randy Mueller said then.

"I'm not looking for 6-foot tall quarterbacks, per se, but he plays a lot bigger than that. The fact he has the vision and anticipation from the pocket; I'm not saying he's Drew Brees or Russell Wilson or anything, but … he trends more in that line just because of that anticipatory skill set."

Zappe starred for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in 2021, completing 475 of 686 passes for 5,967 yards, 62 touchdowns and 11 interceptions after transferring from Houston Baptist. Zappe is 4-5 as a starter in the NFL, having thrown for 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Justin Fields and Brady Cook are under contract for the Jets for next season, but it's not a sure thing that Fields will be back. The Jets, who finished 3-14, have the No. 2 pick in April's 2026 NFL Draft.