Bailey Zappe isn’t budging. He isn’t giving an inch.
The Patriots third-string quarterback has gone from a nice feel-good story filling in to a legitimate thorn in Mac Jones’ side.
And that’s a good problem in the overall scheme of things.
Is there a full-blown quarterback controversy brewing in Foxboro? That really depends on what head coach Bill Belichick has in mind. And throw in play-caller Matt Patricia. He’ll have a say, as well.
They’ll ultimately decide who starts when Jones is deemed healthy enough. They’ll “do what’s best” for the football team. At the very least, the Patriots can wait until Jones is fully healthy from his high ankle sprain — he still has a bit of a limp — before push comes to shove. That’s a luxury most teams don’t have.
But there’s more in the way of benefits to Zappe’s rise, which was on full display in the Patriots’ 38-15 win over the Browns.
Let’s just say if Jones is cleared to play Monday night against the Chicago Bears, and gets his job back, which should still be the expectation, he better be good.
Because if he returns as the mistake-riddled quarterback he was in the first three games, Belichick won’t hesitate to give him the hook.
Zappe has been that good.
Basically the team’s 2022 fourth-round draft pick has put Jones on notice. And no one has to tell Jones that. He knows. He’s been watching. He was on the sidelines in Cleveland. So he saw it first-hand, how well Zappe managed the offense. He saw how well he carried out the game plan, and how well everyone is playing around him.
So he understands Zappe Fever.
Because the eye test says the kid has done enough to push the envelope. The eye test tells Mac he’s being pushed for his job.
And based on Zappe’s performance in two starts and one relief appearance, Belichick won’t be afraid to yank Mac and put the kid in if it comes to that.
Zappe’s rise puts the pressure on Jones to deliver when he gets back in there. At this point, there’s no other way to look at it. First-round pick or not, great rookie season or not, Belichick will go with the quarterback who gives the Patriots the best chance to win.
It’s that simple.
Against the Browns, Zappe wasn’t merely a game manager or caretaker. Along with being boosted by a stellar defense, Zappe was part and parcel for why the Pats dumped the Browns, and helped Belichick tie George Halas (324) for second on the all-time list for coaching wins.
Zappe didn’t just hand the ball off and let Rhamondre Stevenson win the game, like the previous week against the Lions. He made big-time throws when needed.
He once again displayed great presence in the pocket, the ability to step up to make throws and a quick release. He also made good decisions. It’s been a winning combination, one that’s hard to overlook.
In the end, he enjoyed his first 300-yard passing day against the Browns, finishing 24 of 34 for 309 yards with two touchdowns. His quarterback rating was 118.4.
In the process, he completed passes to eight different receivers. Four Patriots had 60 or more receiving yards. He also improved in the red zone, going 3-for-5, and was 7-for-14 on third down, all improvements from the previous week.
Zappe has also rebounded well from mistakes either by him, or by the team in the way of penalties.
After losing the ball to a strip-sack, Zappe was a bit off-kilter the next series, with several errant throws. But then he settled down and made plays.
Zappe said the coaches and his teammates did a good job calming him down after that, but he just went out and did what he’s done best so far, and that’s execute the game plan.
“I think the biggest thing is staying at the task at hand, staying with the game plan, not getting outside the game plan,” Zappe said following the win. “We did a phenomenal job. The O-line played well, the receivers played well, the tight ends played well, the running backs … we just had a really good offensive day today.”
The team has clearly responded to having him in the huddle, and under center.
That doesn’t mean Jones will or should automatically lose his job. That also doesn’t mean Jones couldn’t have done the same, playing against the likes of Detroit and Cleveland. He might have even done better given the competition, coupled with having the same game plans used the past few weeks.
But Zappe’s emergence does mean Belichick will have a shorter leash on Jones when he does return. He’ll take the mistake-free quarterback who does his job, over one that doesn’t if that remains the case with his second-year quarterback.
For now, that’s what it looks like, although Belichick might feel otherwise. He just might stick with Zappe, who threw touchdown passes to Tyquan Thornton and Hunter Henry, for another game or more.
But with Jones traveling with the team and being close to playing against the Browns, it would seem he’s targeting the Bears for a return.
If that winds up being the case, Jones better have learned from watching.
Zappe has been clean throwing the football, with no interceptions, in his three appearances.
In the three games Jones played before getting hurt, he threw five picks.
Zappe has also spread the ball around, and not tried to improvise if a play isn’t there. It’s something his teammates have also noticed.
“He’s made a ton of improvement. He looks comfortable, like he’s really settling in, like he’s starting to figure it out,” said tight end Jonnu Smith, who had a 53-yard reception in the third quarter that helped set up a score. “He knows he’s got a lot to improve on, as we all do, but just from him having that mindset, he’ll continue to make a lot of strides.
“Hats off to him,” Smith added. “He’s came in the past couple weeks and been doing a hell of a job. I couldn’t be more proud of him. He’s been playing his (butt) off … he definitely has impressed.”
Basically, Zappe has done his job, has looked comfortable and poised in the offense, has put up points, and best of all, has backed two straight wins.
If Jones can’t follow suit, or do more, given he’s a better, more experienced quarterback, there will be more Zappe Time in the future.
At least, that’s the way it looks after the Patriots evened their record at 3-3.
