Patriots Daily: Will Bailey Zappe Finish Out the Season?

The New England Patriots play the Denver Broncos tonight in a Christmas Eve battle on Sunday Night Football. Bailey Zappe will get the start at quarterback for the Patriots. Zappe took over in the second half against the New York Giants, then started the past three games for New England. With three games to play, will Zappe stay under center regardless of results at this point?

Bailey Zappe has performed poorly, well, and average (in that order) in his three starts. New England is 1-2 in that time, having beat the Steelers in Week 14. Zappe has completed 55-of-84 passes (65.5%) as a starter. He’s thrown for 561 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. Mac Jones’ 2023 performance makes those numbers an upgrade, specifically in the turnover department.

But if Zappe falters, will Mac Jones get another opportunity to see the field this season? It seems unlikely both quarterbacks will be back with the team in 2024. If the Patriots need to replace Bailey Zappe, who is the next man up? Trent Brown indicated “everyone” thought Malik Cunningham deserved more of a chance in New England, indicating very little confidence in the other quarterbacks. Nathan Rourke joined the QB rook this past week. Would the former CFL star be worth a look?

Perhaps Bailey Zappe plays well for the rest of the season and this becomes a moot point. But if not, the decision by Bill Belichick will be one to keep an eye on.

Also in today’s Patriots Daily: Bills squeak by Chargers; Jets could target Davante Adams; and more…

New England Patriots

Patriots Football Now – Head Coach Candidates for the 2024 New England Patriots

Patriots Football Now – Flurry of Roster Moves in Foxboro

AFC East News

NFL.com – Bills QB Josh Allen on last minute drive to squeak by Chargers

Dolphins Wire – Tua Tagovailoa doesn’t care about narrative surrounding Dolphins

ESPN – Could Davante Adams be recruited by Aaron Rodgers, Jets

NFL News

Yardbarker – Jaguars get huge news on Trevor Lawrence

NFL.com – Mutual interest for Baker Mayfield and Buccaneers to stay together in 2024

Patriots Football Now – NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 16

PFN+ – 2024 NFL Draft Previews

Boston Bruins

Go over to our sibling site Boston Hockey Now to check out the great Boston Bruins coverage from Jimmy Murphy and the BHN team. The NHL season is underway and there is plenty happening in the Bruins 100 Anniversary season.

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Fun Fact of the Day

Today is Mike Haynes birthday. The Hall of Fame cornerback played the first half of his career with the Patriots before finishing with the Raiders. Haynes is one of ten Patriots players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The complete list:

Nick Buoniconti (1962-1968)
John Hannah (1973-1985)
Mike Haynes (1976-1982)
Andre Tippett (1982-1993)
Curtis Martin (1995-1997)
Ty Law (1995-2004)
Richard Seymour (2001-2008)
Junior Seau (2006-2009)
Randy Moss (2007-2010)
Darrelle Revis (2014)

Tweet of the Day

Tweet of the Day is from Kendell Hollowell speaking for many fantasy football owners this weekend…

Watching George Pickens have a career game while he sits on my bench in fantasy pic.twitter.com/sMSTJF8mST

— Kendell Hollowell (@KHollowell_) December 23, 2023