New England Patriots fans begun clamouring for quarterback Bailey Zappe to come into the game as the team struggled to get going offensively against the New York Jets.
Zappe captured the imagination of the Patriots fanbase when he got his opportunity to play after starting quarterback Mac Jones went down with an injured ankle in the Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. After backup Brian Hoyer was knocked out of the game against the Green Bay Packers, Zappe stepped in and immediately impressed.
A fourth round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Zappe challenged four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers as the Packers secured an overtime win. However, Zappe led New England to a crushing 29-0 win over the Detroit Lions in Foxborough before starring against the Cleveland Browns.
Against the Browns, Zappe threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns in the 38-15 win. The 23-year-old made history as a result, becoming the first rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win his first two starts while registering a quarterback rating of 100 or better in both matches.
However, Zappe lost his starting job when Jones returned but the 2021 first round pick is yet to find form. In fact, many Patriots fans are calling for coach Bill Belichick to bring the rookie back into the fold amid the offensive struggles against the Jets.
One fan wrote: “It’s so obvious with the limited touches he got that Bailey Zappe is a better QB than Mac. BB needs to swallow his pride and give the fans what they want. Otherwise the Patriots are destined to be mediocre for a while.”
Another added that he just wants to watch Zappe, while one conceded: “Not watching the Patriots anymore. Bailey Zappe isn’t starting again.”
Many more fans took to Twitter to call for Belichick to put Zappe into the game, while one angry fan wrote: “Mac looks like a Freshman at Varsity tryouts. Breathe dude.”
The Patriots are currently facing the Jets at Gilette Stadium in Foxborough. New England 5-4 while the Jets are 6-3 in an incredibly-competitive AFC East.
