The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to search for a new third quarterback after the Cleveland Browns signed Bailey Zappe from the Chiefs’ practice squad on the morning of October 22, according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero.
Pelissero reported on Tuesday of Week 8, “A new QB in Cleveland: The Browns are signing Bailey Zappe off the Chiefs practice squad, per sources.” This move comes after Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles injury on October 20, with Dorian Thompson-Robinson also dealing with a finger injury. Jameis Winston is likely to start against Baltimore, with Zappe stepping in as his backup.
Zappe’s signing provides the Browns with a healthy backup for their Week 8 matchup against the Ravens. The 25-year-old quarterback had just joined the Chiefs’ practice squad after the 53-man roster deadline in August, outperforming Chris Oladokun and Ian Book in training camp and preseason without playing a snap for Kansas City.
Originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, Zappe briefly filled in for Mac Jones as the team sought a new franchise quarterback following Tom Brady. He went 2-0 as a rookie, completing 70.7% of his passes with a 5-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a passer rating of 100.9. However, his second season saw a decline, with a 59.9% completion rate, 9 interceptions, and a passer rating of 68.7, finishing 2-4 in his last six starts before the Patriots moved on to Drake Maye.