'Ready' Bailey Zappe Breaks Silence on Patriots' QB Chaos

Bailey Zappe was reserved yet confident when asked about the New England Patriots' quarterback situation that's anything but resolved.

As long as Mac Jones remains the New England Patriots' starting quarterback, Bailey Zappe might be the most popular man in Foxboro. 

Zappe remains the contingency behind Jones as a curious offseason under center continues. The second-year pro has mostly been reduced to a spectator as professional and amateur observers alike debate the future of Jones, said to be the subject of trade calls initiated by head coach Bill Belichick.

With the Patriots Foundation staging a youth football clinic at Naval Station Newport, Zappe got a chance to touch upon what's transpired in front of him. While Zappe was understandably reserved, he made it clear that he doesn't plan on going anywhere amidst the chaos. 

"If my opportunity presents itself ... I’m going to take full advantage of it,” Zappe said to Bob Socci of WBZ-FM. "I’m going to do everything I can to help the team win. That’s really all I can say from that standpoint. That’s Coach Belichick’s decision, whatever he decides. But if the opportunity presents itself, I’m going to be ready and take advantage of it.”

A fourth-round pick out of Western Kentucky, Zappe assumed the role of Foxboro's sweetheart last season when he was called upon to take over for an injured Jones in early October action against Green Bay. Over the second of that game and two further starts against Detroit and Cleveland (both wins), Zappe endeared himself to Patriots fans with a 73-percent completion rate and throwing for 596 yards and four touchdowns . 

The dream run came to an end during a nationally televised visit from Chicago, when Zappe failed to generate any offensive momentum when he was inserted for a healthy Jones in a listless 33-14 defeat. That served as the final action of his rookie season but the Patriots offered an indirect vote of confidence when they allowed tenured veteran backup Brian Hoyer to walk to Las Vegas earlier this offseason.

As New England's passing world turns, it perhaps wouldn't shock anyone if the Patriots used the upcoming NFL Draft to provide some competition for Zappe and Jones: the team has been surprisingly rife with rookie throwers over the past 15 offseasons, drafting nine quarterbacks in that span (including Zappe and Jones in consecutive years).

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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