Patriots to waive third-year QB

Drafting two quarterbacks in April, the Patriots did not appear to have room for Bailey Zappe on their 53-man roster. They are cutting the third-year passer, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports.

As Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye vie for the New England starting job, Zappe had competed with sixth-rounder Joe Milton during the preseason. Zappe is not yet a vested vet and will need to clear waivers, though the Western Kentucky alum has been in this situation before. The Pats waived him last year as well.

Not showing growth in Bill O’Brien‘s offense last summer, Zappe received a cut notice during Bill Belichick‘s final offseason in charge. But the team circled back to the former fourth-round pick via the practice squad. Zappe returned to New England’s 53-man roster and eventually replaced Mac Jones as a starter. Zappe made six starts last season, being responsible for two wins in a 4-13 Pats campaign.

Overall, Zappe has started eight games in two seasons. He is a 63.2% passer who holds an 11-to-12 TD-to-INT ratio. Zappe, who threw a Division I-FBS-record 62 touchdown passes during his lone season with the Hilltoppers, has averaged 6.8 yards per attempt as a pro. He has played in three Pats offenses in three years. It will be interesting to see if a team makes a claim this year; no one submitted it in 2023.

Milton, a cannon-armed prospect out of Tennessee, arrived as a developmental player in Round 6. Milton wowed observers with his arm strength this summer, though his preseason outings have left considerable room for improvement. Milton only completed 36.7% of his passes (11-for-30) during the Pats’ exhibition slate. Zappe went 15 of 25 during his preseason work, but the Patriots have seen plenty of his form. They will gauge Milton’s development moving forward.