The initial flurry of NFL free agency is behind us after teams, including the New England Patriots, filled their most immediate needs with lucrative, long-term deals for the top free agents. There are valuable players still on the market, but they will likely sign for shorter, more team-friendly deals at this point, as teams used up most of their cap space.
One position that we are still seeing a ton of movement in is the backup quarterback market. Teams generally like to bring multiple quarterbacks to training camp and have a competition for the QB2 role. One of those signal-callers who will get his chance to make an active roster in 2025 is former Patriots QB Bailey Zappe.
The #Chiefs are re-signing QB Bailey Zappe to a one-year deal, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2025
So Kansas City’s QB room now includes Patrick Mahomes, Gardner Minshew and Zappe, the former #Patriots draft pick who finished last season in KC. pic.twitter.com/WIMcMcD0dz
NFL News: Bailey Zappe Signs with the Kansas City Chiefs
Per NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the former Patriots fourth-round pick is signing with the Chiefs after spending the second half of last season with the Cleveland Browns. This will be Zappe's second stint with the Chiefs, as he was signed to the practice squad two days after he was waived by the Patriots before the start of the 2024 season.
Zappe failed to make his debut with the Chiefs before being signed to the active roster by Cleveland following Deshaun Watson's season-ending injury. He started in his lone appearance for the Browns, in the regular-season finale against the Ravens, going 16/31 for 170 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
When he first came onto the scene, Zappe turned some heads, leading the Patriots to two wins in his two starts as a rookie. Things didn't work out well for him in 2023 after getting a chance to be the starter following Mac Jones' struggles.
At age 25, Zappe still has some upside to become a solid QB2 in the NFL. He will be competing with Gardner Minshew in Kansas City to become Patrick Mahomes' backup for next season.