Patriots Captain Reacts to Zappe Cut: 'Surprising'

The New England Patriots' decision to cut backup quarterback Bailey Zappe caught many off guard, including longtime special teams star Matthew Slater

On an eventful roster cutdown day across the NFL, the New England Patriots made one of the most surpassing moves of any team.

The Patriots made headlines when they cut second-year quarterback Bailey Zappe, Mac Jones' top backup who even started games in his absence last season. Even after a poor showing in Friday's preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans, Zappe's release comes as a major surprise considering how seemingly high the team was on him previously.

Zappe's departure from New England didn't just catch the outside world off guard, but Patriots players as well. Special teams star Matthew Slater, who is the Patriots' longest-tenured player as he enters season No. 16 with the club, revealed that Zappe's release came as a shock to many in the organization.

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“Certainly, something like that is, I guess, surprising to a lot of us," Slater said, per NESN. "I love Bailey. He knows how I feel about him. He’s one of my favorite kids all-time.”

Matthew Slater said he has “mixed emotions” about Bailey Zappe’s release.

“Certainly, something like that is, I guess, surprising to a lot of us.”

“I love Bailey. He knows how I feel about him. He’s one of my favorite kids all-time.” pic.twitter.com/EBIpj0xYWT

— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 29, 2023

Zappe's release was surprising enough in a vacuum, but in the context of the Patriots' other moves, it becomes even more shocking. That's due to the fact that New England also released undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham on Tuesday, as well as Trace McSorely a day earlier. Due to all these cuts, Jones is now the only quarterback on the Patriots' 53-man roster.

Due to having no backup currently, the Patriots now must find someone to fill this role. It's possible that Zappe and/or Cunningham could return to the practice squad, but for Zappe in particular, that would require him to clear waivers. With his solid performance as a rookie, it's possible that another team could claim him and thus prevent that possibility. New England could also look to another veteran backup, such as former Arizona Cardinal Colt McCoy and journeyman Brian Hoyer, who has had three past stints with the Patriots.

No matter what happens, though, Zappe's release on Tuesday remains a surprise to those in the Patriots organization and out of it.