The Patriots’ 2023 season actually took a flip when the offense abruptly seemed competent with Bailey Zappe because the beginning quarterback in Week 14.
So, is that this sustainable? And what does Zappe’s future with the group appear to be after Thursday’s begin?
That’s what followers wish to know on this week’s mailbag.
@Birdy_Bets
Why go to Zappe now? They have been able to have the ability to tackle their QB state of affairs by way of the draft, having the posh to select whomever they wished. Don’t perceive what is going on there. If Zappe is the long run superb, however I don’t consider he’s. Why do that??
Because there may be completely no profit to most individuals within the group to tank or play for a greater draft decide.
No one exterior of Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft and Jonathan Kraft is aware of what’s going to occur at head coach subsequent season, however let’s say — to make use of for instance — that Belichick is just not again in 2024. Why would he wish to lose video games to enhance the workforce’s draft decide if he’s not going to be right here?
Let’s take Ross Douglas for instance. He simply left the Patriots to take a job at Syracuse. What would have been his motivation for tanking? There’s no incentive for any coach or participant who isn’t going to be with the Patriots in 2024 to lose or tank. And the Patriots can’t assure a job for each particular person at present on employees and the roster to be again.
It’s not simply lifelike in any approach, form or kind for a workforce to attempt to lose video games with 5 weeks left within the season.
So, why go to Bailey Zappe? Because they couldn’t probably begin Mac Jones once more after he had been benched 4 occasions. So, they switched issues up, Zappe performed higher than Jones, they received a sport and are nonetheless at present slated to draft second.
@vastleft
What is Zappe’s contract standing, having been waived and re-signed?
Good query. Zappe is at present on a three-year, $2.955 million contract. He has a $985k cap hit in 2024 and a $1.1 million cap hit in 2025. As far as backup quarterbacks go, he’s a serious discount.
@Richy33324710
If Zappe maintains this degree of play remainder of season, is there any shot he’s our starter subsequent yr? I’ve no emotions both approach, simply curious what the workforce may suppose
I discover it a bit implausible, but when Zappe does preserve his Week 14 degree of play for the remainder of the season, and if the Patriots don’t decide a quarterback with a Top 5 decide, and in the event that they don’t signal an skilled backup like Jacoby Brissett, then there’s a shot that Zappe might beat out a rookie picked later within the draft for the job subsequent summer time.
That’s a whole lot of caveats.
I believe the Patriots ought to take a quarterback with their first decide within the draft so long as there’s a participant price deciding on at that time. And I believe that participant ought to be the Week 1 starter. But if the Patriots preserve profitable and fall down the draft, or if they will’t take the quarterback of their selecting, then it’s potential Zappe might function some form of bridge, however provided that he does preserve this degree of play not just for the remainder of the season but in addition subsequent summer time. And the Patriots ought to usher in two quarterbacks to function competitors.
@NEPatsjunkie
What will it take for zappe to grow to be an opportunity to grow to be the franchise QB?
Everything I stated above but in addition a complete season sustaining the extent of play he was acting at within the first half of Thursday night time’s win over the Steelers. So, lots.
@Ken34448505
I personally would love Bill B again. Any probability this occurs in your opinion?
I don’t suppose it’s out of the realm of chance. It looks like everybody assumes Belichick received’t be again, however the protection is taking part in elite soccer, and we’ll see if the offense can proceed heading in the right direction.
I do suppose there ought to be some form of ultimatum that if Belichick is again he has to surrender some energy on the personnel facet, as a result of issues haven’t labored out in free company or the draft in recent times.
@jolletterun
What do you consider JaMycal Hasty? Better than Montgomery?
I believe so, however the Patriots haven’t performed him since they claimed him off waivers from the Jaguars a month in the past.
But Montgomery was waived after giving up a blocked punt and dropping a go on Thursday night time. The Patriots want some form of backup possibility behind Ezekiel Elliott, and I’d belief Hasty to make performs as a ball-carrier over Montgomery at this level of their careers.
@Taco_Stevep
Do you see any state of affairs the place the patriots commerce again within the first spherical of the draft?
I might actually see that in the event that they don’t like their choices wherever they’re choosing. There’s a whole lot of time earlier than the 2024 NFL Draft, however I actually like the thought of coming away with a quarterback or Marvin Harrison Jr., but when these choices aren’t out there, then there could possibly be some logic to shifting again.
Source: www.bostonherald.com