The Chiefs signed Zappe to a one-year contract Friday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Zappe spent time as a reserve option at quarterback for Cleveland in 2024, completing 16 of 31 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in his lone spot start. With Gardner Minshew (collarbone) the clear favorite to back up Patrick Mahomes after signing with Kanas City on Thursday, Zappe finds himself once again competing for a third-string role. The Chiefs also have Chris Oladokun on the roster.
Unlock the latest Kansas City Chiefs news — direct to your inbox.
Status
ACTIVELatest Bailey Zappe news
Team
Kansas City Chiefs
Birthdate
4/26/1999 (26)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'1", 220 lbs
Draft Info
2022: Rd 4; Pk (NE)
Birthplace
Victoria, TX, USA
Position
QB
College
Western Kentucky
Experience
3 seasons
Career History
Kansas City Chiefs
2024-Present
(1 season)
New England Patriots
2022-2024
(3 seasons)
Cleveland Browns
2024-2024
(1 season)
The Chiefs signed Zappe to a one-year contract Friday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Zappe spent time as a reserve option at quarterback for Cleveland in 2024, completing 16 of 31 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in his lone spot start. With Gardner Minshew (collarbone) the clear favorite to back up Patrick Mahomes after signing with Kanas City on Thursday, Zappe finds himself once again competing for a third-string role. The Chiefs also have Chris Oladokun on the roster.
Zappe completed 16 of 31 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Saturday's 35-10 loss to the Ravens. He added two rushes for two yards. Zappe drew the start Saturday and ceded relatively limited work to Dorian Thompson-Robinson. His opportunity to start didn't go as planned, as he threw a pick-six on Cleveland's second possession and was unable to get the Browns into the end zone until early in the fourth quarter with the team down three scores. Zappe will become a free agent this offseason and will hope to compete for a backup job during training camp for the 2025 campaign.
Zappe will start at quarterback in Saturday's season finale against the Ravens, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports. While Zappe is slated to make his Browns debut this weekend, head coach Kevin Stefanski previously suggested that he expected Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) to also see some work versus Baltimore. The threat of losing snaps to Thompson-Robinson inhibits the overall fantasy ceiling of Zappe, whose appeal was already limited due to his unimpressive body of work during his time in New England over the past three seasons. In 14 career NFL appearances (eight starts), Zappe has completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 6.8 yards per attempt and an 11:12 TD:INT while offering little utility as a runner (27 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown).
Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday that both Zappe and Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) could see snaps at quarterback in Saturday's game at Baltimore, Patrick Warren of the Browns' official site reports. "There's a scenario where we [play both], but I want to make sure we get through the week before making the final determination," Stefanski said. Zappe was signed to the Browns' active roster Oct. 22 but has yet to make his team debut. He served as the emergency third quarterback initially upon his arrival, but Zappe was elevated to the backup spot the last two weeks with Jameis Winston (shoulder) being the emergency quarterback. Stefanski said that Winston will likely be inactive once again Saturday, but a determination on whether Thompson-Robinson or Zappe starts won't be made until the end of the practice week.
Zappe will serve as Cleveland's backup quarterback to Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the second week in a row Sunday, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. Former starter Jameis Winston is serving as the emergency third QB for the second straight week due to a shoulder injury, per Easterling. Zappe has yet to appear in a game this season after playing in 14 across his first two campaigns in the NFL in 2022 and 2023, both with New England.
Zappe will serve as the Browns' backup quarterback against the Bengals on Sunday. Jameis Winston is serving as the Browns' emergency third-string quarterback Sunday due to a right shoulder injury, which leaves Zappe as Cleveland's QB2 behind Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Zappe appeared in 10 regular-season games for the Patriots in 2023, completing 59.9 percent of his passes for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding 17 carries for 83 yards and one touchdown. Zappe could revert to the emergency quarterback for Week 17 against the Dolphins on Sunday, Dec. 29 if Winston is healthy.
The Browns re-signed Zappe on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Zappe was cut by Cleveland on Monday, but he cleared waivers Tuesday and is back with the 53-man roster. He slides back in as the team's QB3 behind Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
The Browns waived Zappe on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The 25-year-old quarterback from Western Kentucky joined the Browns' active roster Oct. 23 and had been serving as the team's emergency third QB before being waived Monday. Zappe's most recent regular-season NFL action came with the Patriots in 2023, appearing in 10 games and throwing for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions. He could remain in Cleveland on the Browns' practice squad if he clears waivers.
Zappe (coach's decision) in inactive for Thursday's game against Pittsburgh but will serve as Cleveland's emergency third quarterback, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports. Zappe was signed to the Browns' active roster from Kansas City's practice squad Oct. 22 and has been working as Cleveland's emergency third quarterback since then. He'll be able to enter Thursday's contest only if both Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson become unable to play due to injury, illness, or disqualification.