Insider explains Patriots keeping Bailey Zappe amid Joe Milton III hype

Fans and pockets of analysts are wondering why the New England Patriots continue to hold onto backup quarterback Bailey Zappe through the preseason even though sixth-round draft pick Joe Milton III seems on track to earn a roster spot along with fellow rookie Drake Maye and veteran Jacoby Brissett. 

Patriots insider Chris Mason of MassLive touched upon that subject ahead of New England's exhibition matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. 

"Right now he’s a security blanket," Mason said about Zappe. "I don’t think the coaching staff trusts the backup offensive line at all — with good reason — and that’s why Zappe played seven series in the preseason opener after the starters departed. They’re not trying to get Drake Maye pulverized but didn’t want to overwork the first-team offensive line in the opener. Thus, just one series."

Much was made earlier this month about the fact that Milton allegedly outperformed Maye, the third overall pick of this year's draft, in a couple of training-camp practices. Milton then showed some promise in New England's preseason opener last Thursday, causing some to essentially demand that the club show Zappe the door. 

Mason acknowledged that he thinks Maye and Milton will "earn enough trust" between now and the end of the month for the Patriots to name one of them as Brissett's primary backup for the Week 1 game at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8. 

As NESN's Ricky Doyle mentioned, however, former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick pointed out earlier this week that rookie quarterbacks usually see "basic" defenses that aren't "showing too much" during joint practices and preseason games. 

In short, it's possible and maybe even likely that first-year head coach Jerod Mayo would start Zappe over Maye and Milton if the Cincinnati game was held this weekend and Brissett wasn't available for some reason. Maye is widely viewed as a project for the future who shouldn't face a live defense in a meaningful game anytime soon. 

"If Maye and Joe Milton don’t appear ready to backup Jacoby Brissett when Week 1 rolls around, perhaps Zappe sticks around as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option," Mason added. 

Zappe probably has no real trade value as of the middle of August, and there's no rush to get him out of New England's quarterback room as Maye and Milton continue to develop. Mayo and Co. will eventually have to make a Zappe-or-Milton decision, but such conversations can wait until the last week of August.