Patriots’ Bailey Zappe Asked About QB Battle With Mac Jones After 12-for-14 Performance

Zappe was efficient in his preseason debut, but is it enough to surprise and win the starting quarterback job?

Could Bailey Zappe win the Patriots starting quarterback job?

While it may be unlikely, it’s not the first time the question has been asked. Zappe was impressive in relief of Mac Jones last season while Jones nursed a high ankle sprain, and Zappe impressed once again in Thursday night’s preseason debut.

Jones was a healthy scratch on Thursday night against the Texans, so Zappe got the nod. The second-year quarterback went 12-of-14 passing against Houston for 79 yards. 

With murmurs that he perhaps could play into the starting quarterback conversation once again, Zappe was asked about the quarterback dynamic in New England.

“We want what’s best for the team,” Zappe said when asked about the quarterback room. “We want to win no matter who’s out there. Malik [Cunningham] came in and did a phenomenal job, you know, had a really good drive, scored the only touchdown of the game … did really good in both the run game and the pass game. It was really nice to see him do that, especially his first game in the NFL, to go out there and kinda put the jitters aside and play like he did was really good to see.”

When asked about his relationship with Jones, Zappe further elaborated.

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“The quarterback room, like I said, we all want to win. That’s the main objective of everyone on this team. We want to do what’s best for the team, and that’s pretty much as simple as it can be.” 

As well as Zappe played, Jones is QB1 on the depth chart that was released by the Patriots earlier this week, and his status as a healthy scratch on Thursday night to avoid injury mirrors the treatment of quarterback Tom Brady in the past in New England.

Zappe continues to play well, and if Jones struggles this year like he did last season, perhaps these discussions could become a bit more serious about Zappe’s potential of taking over as the starting quarterback.