Following Sunday’s developments, it appears that Bailey Zappe will stand as the sole quarterback on the Patriots’ roster come the onset of the new NFL year on Wednesday.
This arrangement stems from New England’s purported efforts to finalize a trade, dispatching Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones’ departure seemed inevitable, given that the 2021 first-round pick relinquished his starting role to Zappe just ahead of Week 13 last season.
Regarding Zappe’s sentiments toward the reported trade involving Jones, it’s worth noting that the 2022 fourth-rounder interacted with the NFL’s Instagram post announcing Jones’ relocation to Jacksonville, as highlighted by the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan.
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However, Zappe’s social media activity alone doesn’t conclusively indicate his feelings about his now-former teammate’s departure from New England.
Zappe likely had a firsthand view of Jones’ challenging tenure in Foxboro, which might contribute to mixed emotions. On one hand, he could be relieved to witness Jones securing a fresh opportunity elsewhere after enduring a turbulent stint with the Patriots. On the other hand, there could be a tinge of apprehension, considering the possibility of being displaced himself if the Patriots invest in a high draft pick for a quarterback next month and bring in a seasoned veteran to assist with Zappe’s development.
Reports suggest that the relationship between Jones and Zappe was fraught, at least during Jones’ decline with the Patriots. Consequently, Zappe might view Jones’ departure as a positive development, akin to bidding farewell to an uncomfortable dynamic.
