Patriots Football Daily: Bad Look for Bailey Zappe

Yesterday news broke that the New England Patriots had traded Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The official NFL account posted the news on Instagram. One member of the Patriots roster liked the post announcing the trade. It was quarterback Bailey Zappe.

When the reports surfaced about the dysfunction in New England locker room last season, the relationship between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe was analyzed. The Boston Herald reported a lack of camaraderie between  Jones and Zappe. Their relationship was described as ‘cordial’ with each getting prepared on their own. This was not a relationship where the two were helping the other get ready to play their best. There was also the issue of Bailey Zappe never actually beating out Mac Jones for the job. Rather, the job was basically handed to Zappe after it became clear that Jones had lost all confidence, and was no longer capable of playing his best football.

After news broke that Zappe had liked the Instagram post, he unliked it. But it was too late.

Professional athletes have to realize by now that people notice everything they do on social media. Bailey Zappe also has to realize that was a bad look. If the two quarterbacks had been close, he could have liked the post and just clarified he was happy for Jones to get a fresh start in his hometown. He still probably should.

Bailey Zappe‘s roster spot on the 2024 New England Patriots is still far from secure. Jerod Mayo has repeatedly stressed a desire to create a positive work environment. While nobody is accusing Bailey Zappe of being a problem, this was not a great impression on anybody. It came across as petty at worst and foolish at best.

New England is hoping for more wins in 2024, but they are also hoping for fewer distractions and less dysfunction.

Also in Monday’s Patriots Football Daily (reminder, legal tampering period begins at noon)…

New England Patriots

Patriots Football Now – Report: Patriots keep Kendrick Bourne from free agency

Patriots Football Now – Mike Onwenu remains unsigned

NFL Free Agency

Patriots Football Now – Ranking all 30 NFL free agent quarterbacks

Patriots Football Now – Analyzing the New England Patriots headed to free agency

NFL Draft

Patriots Football Now – Three-round 2024 NFL Mock Draft, Throwback Edition

Patriots Football Now – Prospects who impressed on Day 3 of the NFL Combine (QB/RB/WR)

NFL News

NFL.com – Baker Mayfield returns to Tampa Bay on a three-year deal

Yardbarker – 49ers to release veteran DT

ESPN – Philadelphia Eagles star Fletcher Cox announces retirement

Boston Bruins

Go 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 plenty is happening in the Bruins 100 Anniversary season.

Boston Hockey Now – Marchand steadfastly bullish on Boston Bruins

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Football Fun Fact of the Day

Since the start of NFL free agency in 1993, the New England Patriots have not given out the largest free agent contract in any year. However, three former Patriots have received that distinction:

2014 – Aqib Talib, Denver Broncos
2019 – Trey Flowers, Detroit Lions
2020 – Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Post of the Day

Today’s post features newly signed New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne throwing a touchdown on the lone pass of his NFL career…

.@PATRIOTS DOUBLE PASS.

Bourne to Agholor for the TD! #ForeverNE

📺: #NYJvsNE on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/i8j4LnI3ij

— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2021