If there was one clear message behind the Patriots’ resolution to signal quarterback Will Grier off of the Bengals’ follow squad and onto their 53-man roster Thursday, it’s that present backup Bailey Zappe shouldn’t get too snug.
But Zappe ought to have recognized that already. He was a shock reduce in late August simply to cross by waivers and signal to the Patriots’ follow squad. For a quick time, Mac Jones was the Patriots’ solely quarterback on all the roster. Panthers 2022 third-round choose Matt Corral was claimed to the 53-man roster earlier than he left the workforce with out discover and landed on the exempt checklist. Only then did Zappe get a promotion to the 53-man roster.
The Patriots briefly added one other former fourth-round choose to the follow squad in Ian Book earlier than waiving Corral with the unique intention of signing him to their follow squad.
Plans modified, and now Grier is on board because the Patriots proceed to rifle by sign callers.
If Grier performs nicely sufficient, he’ll compete with Zappe for the backup quarterback spot, based on a supply. The workforce desires to proceed to push Zappe, who they really feel didn’t carry out nicely throughout coaching camp and the preseason in new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s offense.
So, what do the Patriots have of their new QB?
Grier, 28, performed school ball at Florida and West Virginia earlier than he was chosen within the third spherical of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Panthers. He stated on the NFL Scouting Combine in 2019 that he integrated components of the Patriots’ offense into West Virginia’s system with then-offensive coordinator Jake Spivatal.
He was reduce by the Panthers two years later and claimed by the Cowboys. Grier misplaced his job in Dallas after the Cowboys acquired 2021 first-round choose Trey Lance in a commerce with the 49ers, so the 6-foot-3, 215-pound QB spent the early a part of the season on the Bengals’ follow squad.
Grier began two video games as a rookie in 2019 and had a troublesome go. The Panthers misplaced each contests, and Grier accomplished 53.8 p.c of his passes for 228 yards with no touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
He impressed within the preseason this summer time, nonetheless, finishing 76.2 p.c of his targets with 4 passing touchdowns and two interceptions. He additionally rushed seven occasions for 60 yards with two touchdowns.
After being signed off the Bengals’ follow squad, Grier might want to spend three weeks on the Patriots’ energetic roster or be paid for that point interval. The Patriots had been advantageous with shedding Zappe as their backup once they waived him in August, and now they’re bringing in one other QB to compete for his job. Zappe will both be pushed by Grier to maintain the No. 2 position or lose it to his newest competitor.
Stay tuned.
Source: www.bostonherald.com