Even if Bailey Zappe were to never throw another NFL pass, he’ll always be in the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.
Zappe’s jersey from the team’s 38-15 win over Cleveland this past Sunday found its way to the Patriots’ Hall of Fame. Per the placard next to the jersey, “Zappe became the first NFL rookie quarterback to win his first two career starts and record a 100-plus passer rating in those games,” while also “becoming the first Patriots rookie quarterback to win his first home start … and first road start.”
Zappe filled in for QB Brian Hoyer in Green Bay after Hoyer suffered a concussion and nearly pulled off an improbable win. Zappe began the season as the team’s third-string quarterback. The team’s starting quarterback, Mac Jones, suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 3. In his two-plus games at quarterback, Zappe is completing 72.9 percent of his passes for 596 yards and four touchdowns with one interception.
In his first three games, Zappe played well enough for people to wonder whether there was a quarterback controversy brewing in Foxborough. Those rumors have been put to rest, with Jones potentially returning as soon as Monday night.
Plenty of people expected the Patriots to crater in Jones’ absence, but Zappe did his part to keep them afloat. Thanks to his record-setting stretch, the Patriots’ Hall of Fame made sure Zappe’s contributions won’t soon be forgotten.
