Browns Promote Former Patriots QB Bailey Zappe For Week 17

It wasn’t long ago that “Zappe! Zappe!” chants filled the stands at Gillette Stadium seemingly every Sunday.

The fans were often calling for former New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe to replace first-round draft pick Mac Jones under center.

Now, the Patriots have Drake Maye.

Jones has made a new life in San Francisco, leading the 49ers’ passing attack with more than 2,000 yards in 10 starts in an injury-marred season for Brock Purdy.

Zappe hasn’t been so lucky.

The 2022 fourth-round draft pick appeared in four games as a rookie in New England. He completed more than 70% of his passes for 781 yards and five touchdowns.

That led to a quarterback battle in Foxboro taking place throughout the entirety of the 2023 regular season.

Zappe made 10 appearances, while Jones made 11. Zappe threw six touchdowns and nine interceptions, while Jones connected on 10 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.

Neither quarterback was on New England’s roster the next season.

After former head coach Jerod Mayo cut Zappe, he spent time on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad in 2024 before being signed by the Cleveland Browns halfway through the year.

He started the last game of the season for Cleveland, completing 16-of-31 passes for just 170 yards, throwing a touchdown and two interceptions.

Zappe began 2025 at Chiefs camp once again, but was waived in the final week of the preseason. He has been buried on the Browns’ practice squad for the entirety of the season despite three different quarterbacks making a start for Cleveland this season.

He has been elevated to the active roster for the first time this year as rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel is inactive with a shoulder injury.

We've elevated TE Sal Cannella and QB Bailey Zappe from the practice squad

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 27, 2025

Shedeur Sanders will start against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Zappe will officially be the No. 2.