Jets Evaluate Bailey Zappe for Backup Quarterback Role Amid Roster Shifts

The New York Jets are evaluating Bailey Zappe for a backup quarterback role after he was waived by the New England Patriots on Tuesday. Zappe grew up in Victoria, Texas, and built his college career at Houston Baptist and Western Kentucky, where he set FBS records for passing yards and touchdowns. The Jets’ competition for the QB2 spot involves Cade Klubnik, whose recent performances have raised questions about Zappe’s hold on the position. The team reshaped its quarterback depth in the offseason, and Zappe now works with the Cleveland Browns, receiving reps on the scout team as the club prepares for a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The outcome of this battle could influence how the Jets fill the backup role behind Geno Smith.

Zappe's NFL Journey and Recent Release

Bailey Zappe is an American quarterback who played college football at Houston Baptist and Western Kentucky. He set FBS season records for passing yards and passing touchdowns while at Western Kentucky. After being waived by the New England Patriots on Tuesday, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad in August 2024. Earlier, he struggled in a November 2023 Patriots game alongside Mac Jones, a performance that received attention in media reports. Zappe now receives quarterback reps with the Cleveland Browns’ scout‑team offense as the team develops its depth ahead of a matchup against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. The Jets are reviewing his potential as a backup, weighing him against Cade Klubnik for the QB2 role that could shape the roster and determine Geno Smith’s backup.

Jets' Backup Battle and Roster Implications

The Jets are weighing Bailey Zappe for a backup quarterback role, pitting him against Cade Klubnik in a QB2 battle that could shape the roster. According to reports, Klubnik’s early training camp displays have left the team optimistic about the position. The preseason competition will determine Geno Smith’s backup and influence the depth chart as the regular season approaches.

Zappe entered the league after a prolific college career at Western Kentucky, where he set FBS records for passing yards and touchdowns. His most recent stint ended with a waiver from the New England Patriots on Tuesday, after which he joined the Cleveland Browns’ roster and is receiving quarterback reps on the scout team. Earlier in the offseason the Jets made significant quarterback roster changes, and Zappe previously signed with the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad in August 2024.

The competition remains fluid, with Klubnik’s performance offering a reminder that Zappe may not yet have a firm hold on the backup spot. The Jets’ evaluation of both players will likely affect how the backup role is filled before the season begins.

Browns' Development of Quarterback Depth

The Browns are expanding their quarterback depth as they prepare for a matchup with Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. Zappe is on Cleveland’s roster and is taking reps on the scout team while the club evaluates backup options behind its starter. His arrival follows a stint on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad and a release by the New England Patriots. The team sees value in a quarterback who has demonstrated production at the collegiate level and who can contribute to situational work during practice. This move aligns with the Browns’ broader effort to add experienced depth at the position as the regular season approaches. According to reports, the Browns’ strategy includes using Zappe to simulate opposing offenses in practice, thereby helping the defense prepare for varied threats. The organization believes that such preparation could be critical when confronting a dynamic quarterback like Jackson.

College Career and Record‑Setting Achievements

Bailey Zappe began his college career at Houston Baptist University, where he developed his passing skills over three seasons. He then used his final year of eligibility at Western Kentucky, setting FBS records for passing yards and passing touchdowns. Those performances positioned him as a professional prospect and led to opportunities in the NFL, including practice‑squad stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and a recent release by the New England Patriots. Zappe’s college record‑setting season directly contributed to his entry into professional football and his subsequent moves across multiple roster and practice‑squad situations.

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