4 Patriots Already on Thin Ice In Training Camp

The New England Patriots finally joined in on the offseason action when they began their 2024 training camp on Wednesday. Fans and media alike are finally getting a real glimpse of the Jerod Mayo-led Patriots as they attempt to return to relevance in the post-Bill Belichick era.

While some New England players are thriving throughout the first few practices, others are struggling to get things going. If the underperformers can't turn things around soon, their odds of making the 53-man roster will plummet before they know it.

With that in mind, let's check in on these four Patriots who are already on thin ice during training camp.

1. Bailey Zappe, QB

Bailey Zappe didn't need a poor training camp showing to put him on thin ice. The 25-year-old quarterback's spot in the lineup was already in jeopardy after a putrid 2023 performance that saw him throw for just under 1,300 yards with six touchdowns to nine interceptions in 10 games (6 starts) while only producing two wins during that stretch.

The offseason additions of veteran QB Jacoby Brissett and rookie gunslinger Joe Milton certainly didn't help the former 2022 fourth-rounder's outlook.

Unfortunately, for Zappe, the situation hasn't improved now that training camp is underway. On the second day of practices, the third-year signal-caller finished fourth among the Patriots quarterbacks with six passing attempts, trailing Drake Maye (12), Brissett (11), and Milton (9).

Even though Zappe has more experience than Milton, the latter has been putting in the work throughout the offseason. New England's coaching staff is impressed with him by all accounts and his ability to play wide receiver potentially makes him more useful to the roster than Zappe.

In other words, unless Zappe balls out and looks like the second coming of Tom Brady, chances are we might not see him around Foxboro for much longer.