Is Bailey Zappe undefeated in NFL? Patriots backup QB's career record explored
With reported friction between Bill Belichick and Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe might soon get the chance to become the main man with the New England Patriots.
That might not be the worst choice, even though the Patriots might be open to bringing in another quarterback. As things stand, Zappe is the only undefeated quarterback in the NFL with multiple wins and no career losses.
That in itself is not surprising so far given his performances before his pro football career and how well he played in college. We look a little deeper into his career.
Bailey Zappe's career so far
Bailey Zappe went to Victoria East High School in Texas and received a single scholarship offer into college, which was from Houston Baptist University. He stayed there from 2017 to 2020, but he really came into the spotlight in 2021.
His offensive coordinator Zach Kittley had moved from Houston Baptist to Western Kentucky and his quarterback followed him there. Zappe was an instant hit on FBS. He led them to the Boca Raton Bowl and ended the season with 5,967 passing yards and 62 touchdowns. He surpassed the previous touchdown record of a certain Joe Burrow.
Zappe's record caused him to be drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round. He was initially the backup to Mac Jones but relieved him in games when the alternative was not available.
He started two games and won both with an above 100 passer rating. He definitely has the potential to be a starter, especially as he has now dipped his toes in the league and taking to the field has not ruffled him.
Are Patriots supporting Bailey Zappe over Mac Jones?
That would have been a moot point had Mac Jones had been able to lead the team better. They missed out on the playoffs last season. Now, there are reports that in the locker room, Bailey Zappe might be more popular than Jones.
Mac Jones was a higher pick in the previous draft and also successfully saw Cam Newton, a former MVP, out of the picture. He's still the better quarterback at the moment, based on experience and draft pedigree.
However, there seems to be a significant chunk of the locker room that's rooting for Zappe, as per Dan Patrick:
"I do think that locker room is split. Somebody who used to play for the Patriots -- I asked, 'Could you find out how that feels in the locker room?' When he came back to me probably four days later, he said, 'There's a lot of support for Bailey Zappe.'
He also reiterated that Mac Jones remains ahead in the pecking order right now.
"But that doesn't mean they're ready to turn the team over to Bailey Zappe. Bailey Zappe was a great college quarterback, put up a lot of yards there. But you spent the 15th pick in the first round on Mac Jones. You can't whiff on that."
At the moment, if Bill Belichick lets Mac Jones walk, he would be forced to admit that his draft choices were wrong.
Meanwhile, he could look at Zappe's college career record and decide that he's ready for prime time. That would make more sense than naming him the starter based on just two wins, just because he has not had any losses.