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Bailey Zappe

Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC North

August 27th, 2025 at 5:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bengals, Browns, Ravens and Steelers moves are noted below.

Baltimore Ravens

Signed to practice squad:

Cincinnati Bengals

Signed to practice squad:

Reverted to IR:

Cleveland Browns

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed to practice squad:

Chiefs Cut 34 Players, Settle On 53-Man Roster

August 26th, 2025 at 9:27pm CST by Ben Levine

The defending AFC champs have set their 53-man roster. The Chiefs announced the following moves:

Released:

Waived:

Placed on reserve/NFI:

Placed on injured reserve:

Placed on injured reserve (designated for return):

On the defensive side of the ball, Cam Jones was a somewhat surprising cut after getting into all 34 games for the Chiefs over the past two years. A former UDFA, Jones has seen the majority of his playing time on special teams, but he still got into 161 defensive snaps for Kansas City between 2023 and 2024. Over the span, the linebacker has collected 36 tackles. The team also moved on from veteran defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who started seven of his 17 appearances for Kansas City in 2024.

On the other side of the ball, the team dropped 2024 preseason standout Carson Steele. The UCLA product had a brief chance to show his stuff immediately following Isiah Pacheco‘s injury, but a persistent fumbling issue had him tumbling down the depth chart. Steele ultimately finished his rookie season with 209 yards from scrimmge on 63 touches.

Chiefs To Sign QB Bailey Zappe

March 14th, 2025 at 6:52pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Chiefs are signing quarterback Bailey Zappe to a one-year deal, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Adding Zappe is Kansas City’s second move at quarterback this week; they also signed Gardner Minshew to a one-year deal. That likely means that Carson Wentz will be looking for a new gig in 2025 after backing up Patrick Mahomes in 2024.

Zappe’s signing is technically a reunion, as he spent the first few months of the season on the Chiefs’ practice squad. He didn’t appear in any games in red and gold before he was signed by the Browns after Deshaun Watson‘s season-ending Achilles injury.

Zappe became the QB3 in Cleveland behind Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. He only appeared one game: a rough Week 18 start against the Ravens. That loss secured the No. 2 overall pick for the Browns in April’s draft.

Zappe will likely take up a similar role in Kansas City behind Mahomes and Minshew. Though he holds the distinction of being Bill Belichick‘s last quarterback in the NFL, it seems Zappe’s starting days are behind him. Joining the Chiefs will give him a shot at a Super Bowl, though, and potentially help him develop and earn a QB2 job in the future.

Browns To Start Bailey Zappe In Week 18

January 2nd, 2025 at 2:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

Make it four starting quarterbacks for the Browns this season, marking a second straight slate in which that rarely reached number will be in the equation for Cleveland. It will be Bailey Zappe taking over in Week 18, according to The Associated Press’ Tom Withers.

Zappe will replace Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who has struggled since replacing Jameis Winston. Although Winston suited up in Week 17, he did not play. The Browns’ draft standing, No. 3 overall, is worth reminding here, as is the fact the team is expected to retain both Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry. With the two power brokers not needing to make moves to preserve their jobs (at least, that is not the expectation), a Zappe-over-Winston choice would make more sense. For what it’s worth, Winston has practiced in a limited capacity due to a shoulder injury.

Stefanski said both Zappe and Thompson-Robinson will play against the Ravens, who are up to 20-point favorites in the teams’ Week 18 rematch. Cleveland upended Baltimore during Winston’s first start after Deshaun Watson‘s injury. The Browns benched Winston after a turnover-heavy Week 15 showing, but Thompson-Robinson has not played well since. For his career, Thompson-Robinson has put together a 1-10 TD-INT ratio, which is next to impossible in this passer-friendly era. The 2023 fifth-round pick has thrown six picks and no TD passes this season.

Zappe will be the 40th the starting quarterback since the Browns’ 1999 reboot, as Withers notes. He finished last season as the Patriots’ starter, replacing a declining Mac Jones. Zappe has made eight career starts, going 4-4 in those games. The Browns initially signed Zappe off the Chiefs’ practice squad following Watson’s October Achilles tear. Cleveland then waived Zappe and re-signed him not long after.

A 2022 fourth-round pick who broke Joe Burrow‘s Division I-FBS touchdown pass record by firing 61 in Western Kentucky’s pass-happy offense in 2021, Zappe did not make the Patriots’ 53-man roster this season. That led him to Kansas City’s practice squad. He is not under contract in Cleveland beyond this season, but this matchup with Baltimore could help his cause. Though, the Browns will be looking elsewhere for a player to be a viable option as a Watson replacement — perhaps in Round 1 — after the season.

One of four 3-13 teams entering the season finale, the Browns sit behind the Patriots and Titans for the top pick. The Pats host a Bills team that has nothing to play for, while the Titans host a Texans team locked into the AFC’s No. 4 seed. With the Ravens gunning for the AFC’s No. 3 spot via the AFC North title, the Browns have the best chance to lose among this trio. The cards look to be breaking Cleveland’s way, even though this was certainly not where this year’s team was expected to be at the season’s outset. The Browns will at least have a high pick when they make their way back to the first round — after three years of missing out due to the Watson trade.

Browns Re-Sign QB Bailey Zappe

December 3rd, 2024 at 6:27pm CST by Ben Levine

Bailey Zappe has landed back on Cleveland’s active roster. After getting suddenly waived by the Browns yesterday, the quarterback has re-signed with the squad, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston.

Zappe has spent more than a month in Cleveland, with the Browns plucking him from the Chiefs’ practice squad following Deshaun Watson‘s season-ending injury. Jameis Winston has since run with the starting gig, leaving Zappe on the sideline.

The former fourth-round pick showed some flashes during his two seasons in New England. Zappe went 4-4 as a starter while completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The Western Kentucky product got a longer look as a sophomore and saw his completion percentage drop and his interception percentage rise.

With the Patriots adding three QBs this past offseason (Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Milton), Zappe was the odd man out. He was waived by New England during final roster cuts, and he subsequently landed in a solid situation on Kansas City’s practice squad.

Zappe will be hard pressed to earn his ninth career start in Cleveland. If Winston somehow needs to be replaced, the Browns would likely opt for Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/2/24

December 2nd, 2024 at 6:45pm CST by Ely Allen

Monday’s minor transactions:

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

The Falcons get the second-round rookie, Orhorhoro, back from injured reserve for the closing stretch of the season. The Clemson-product has seen minimal time in his first NFL season, rotating in for only four games so far, but Atlanta will take whatever help it can get on a defense that is dead-last in the league with only 15 sacks on the year.

Zappe was signed off the Patriots’ practice squad following Deshaun Watson‘s placement on IR. Jameis Winston has performed admirably in relief of Watson, and the team must have confidence in second-year backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson behind him.

Shenault continues to struggle to find a place on an NFL offense, but he did carve out a role as a strong kick returner in Seattle this year. That added ability may help him find another roster spot soon.

Gill is the second punter the Buccaneers have waived this year. Gill’s yards per punt average of 43.3 currently ranks for 33rd in the NFL.

Seymour has served the league’s six-game suspension for violating its performance-enhancing drugs policy and is now able to return to the field.

Browns Sign Bailey Zappe Off Chiefs’ Practice Squad, Place Deshaun Watson On IR

October 22nd, 2024 at 1:17pm CST by Adam La Rose

1:17pm: The Browns made this move official. Zappe will take Watson’s roster spot, with the high-priced starter being moved to IR following his Week 7 Achilles tear. Watson will undergo surgery in the near future, though, it is not yet known if a full repair or an Aaron Rodgers-like speed-bridge procedure will take place.

8:42am: In need of a healthy depth option at quarterback, the Browns are making an addition. Cleveland is set to sign Bailey Zappe off the Chiefs’ practice squad, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Deshaun Watson is out for the year with a torn Achilles, leaving the team with Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Jameis Winston at the quarterback position. Thompson-Robinson took over for Watson on Sunday, but he suffered a finger injury and was also forced to exit the contest. It remains to be seen when the 2023 fourth-rounder will next be available, so Zappe could find himself dressing as the backup as early as Week 8.

The 25-year-old began his career with the Patriots, making a pair of starts during his rookie campaign. The promise he showed during that spell proved to be rather short-lived, though, and he was briefly out of the organization ahead of last season. Zappe was brought back, and with Mac Jones struggling he finished off the year atop New England’s depth chart. Despite having eight starts to his name, Zappe again found himself on the outside looking in this past summer, as the Patriots waived him. They have moved forward with veteran Jacoby Brissett along with rookies Drake Maye and Joe Milton under center.

The Chiefs acted quickly by signing Zappe to their practice squad. That move added depth behind Patrick Mahomes and new backup Carson Wentz, signed in free agency to take on QB2 duties. Both of those passers have remained healthy this season, leaving Zappe without a clear path to a place on the 53-man roster. He will now head to Cleveland in a bid to compete for a spot on the team’s roster even after Thompson-Robinson is healthy. Zappe has completed 63.2% of his passes while throwing more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11) and adding sparse production in the running game during his career.

Those figures are not particularly encouraging, but this move will give him a fresh start at the NFL level. The Western Kentucky product could earn a stay beyond 2024 with the Browns in the event he were to see playing time and deliver solid performances. If not, how Cleveland proceeds in the offseason will become even more uncertain with Watson not being assured of the starting gig once he is healthy.

For the time being, Winston will likely be in line to make his first start of the year as Thompson-Robinson continues to recover. The 1-6 Browns sit last in the NFL in total offense and 29th in scoring, and whichever quarterbacks are used moving forward will look to usher in improvement on that side of the ball (something which could be feasible with Nick Chubb now healthy). Cleveland will look to end Baltimore’s five-game winning streak in Week 8 with a notably different looking QB room.

Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC West

August 28th, 2024 at 2:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders moves are noted below.

Denver Broncos

Signed:

Claimed:

Signed to practice squad:

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed:

Claimed:

  • CB Eric Scott Jr.

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed:

Claimed:

Waived:

Placed on IR: 

Signed to practice squad:

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed:

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

Chiefs To Add Bailey Zappe To Practice Squad

August 28th, 2024 at 11:47am CST by Sam Robinson

Both the Chiefs’ starting and backup quarterbacks are locked in, but the defending Super Bowl champions are adding a third option to work behind Patrick Mahomes and Carson Wentz.

Andy Reid will see what he can coax from Bailey Zappe, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reporting the former Patriots backup/spot starter is joining the Chiefs on a practice squad deal. Zappe has once again cleared waivers, but this time he will leave New England.

Mahomes has not missed a game due to injury since the 2019 season, though he did miss time during the 2020 and ’22 divisional-round games. Wentz signed this year, after the Chiefs pursued him in 2023; those two are the only active-roster Chiefs arms. Zappe will attempt to reset in Missouri and learn from one of the best coaches in NFL history.

Generating fanfare after winning two games as a rookie, Zappe started eight games in two seasons. He is a 63.2% passer who holds an 11-to-12 TD-to-INT ratio. Zappe, who threw a Division I-FBS-record 62 touchdown passes during his lone season with Western Kentucky, has averaged 6.8 yards per attempt as a pro. He played in three Pats offenses in three years, so learning a new scheme will be rather familiar territory for the former fourth-round pick.

The Pats had waived Zappe in 2023, completing an unusual plan that had Mac Jones as the only QB on the roster for a bit. Zappe did return and eventually replaced a struggling Jones late last season. Zappe closed the 2023 slate as New England’s starter, but the team — now under Eliot Wolf‘s guidance — overhauled its QB room by signing Jacoby Brissett and drafting Drake Maye and Joe Milton. The sixth-round Tennessee prospect beat out Zappe for the Patriots’ QB3 gig.

Patriots Set 53-Man Roster

August 27th, 2024 at 9:19pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots have set their first 53-man roster in a post-Bill Belichick era. The team announced the following moves:

Released:

Placed on reserve/PUP list:

Placed on reserve/NFI list:

Placed on IR:

Atonio Mafi was a fifth-round pick by the Patriots just last year, and he ended up starting five of his 17 appearances as a rookie. It wasn’t pretty for the UCLA alumni, as Pro Football Focus ultimately graded Mafi as the second-worst qualifying guard in the NFL (among 79 qualifying players).

Kevin Harris was a sixth-round pick by New England in 2022, but the running back struggled to carve out a role through his two seasons with the squad. The South Carolina product was ultimately limited to nine appearances (one start), collecting 175 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.

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