Bailey Zappe Bio
Bailey Michael Zappe is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He entered the NFL in 2022 after being selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the draft. Zappe has served primarily as a backup quarterback throughout his career, earning starting opportunities with the Patriots in 2022 and 2023 before joining the Cleveland Browns in 2024. Prior to his professional career, Zappe set Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) single-season records for passing yards and touchdowns during his lone season at Western Kentucky University in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Bailey Michael Zappe was born on April 26, 1999, in Victoria, Texas, United States. He attended Victoria East High School in his hometown where he developed into a notable quarterback prospect. During his senior season at Victoria East, Zappe passed for 3,770 yards and 37 touchdowns while also contributing on the ground with 633 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.
Despite his productive high school career, Zappe received limited college recruitment interest. He accepted the only scholarship offer he received and committed to play college football at Houston Baptist University. Victoria East High School honored Zappe’s achievements by retiring his number 4 jersey in 2023.
Path to American Football
Zappe began his college football journey at Houston Baptist University, where he played for the Huskies from 2017 to 2020. He redshirted his true freshman season in 2017 before appearing in games starting in 2018. In his redshirt sophomore season, Zappe completed 357 of 560 passes for 3,811 yards with 35 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, showing flashes of his future statistical prowess.
After the 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zappe entered the transfer portal seeking a new opportunity. He committed to Western Kentucky University, following former Houston Baptist offensive coordinator Zach Kittley who had been instrumental in developing his receiving weapons. Notably, his top wide receiver from Houston Baptist, Jerreth Sterns, also transferred to Western Kentucky to reunite with Zappe.
Bailey Zappe Career
Western Kentucky Breakout (2021)
Zappe was named Western Kentucky’s starting quarterback entering the 2021 season, and he immediately demonstrated his capabilities. In his first start for the Hilltoppers, he passed for 424 yards and seven touchdowns in a 59-21 victory over Tennessee-Martin. Throughout the 2021 regular season, Zappe dominated the FBS passing statistics, accumulating 5,545 passing yards and 56 touchdowns.
Heading into the 2021 Boca Raton Bowl, Zappe had a legitimate chance to break the FBS single-season records for passing yardage and touchdowns held by B. J. Symons of Texas Tech (2003) and Joe Burrow of LSU (2019) respectively. He accomplished both feats during the bowl game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers, finishing the season with 5,967 passing yards and 62 touchdowns. These record-breaking performances earned him the C-USA Most Valuable Player award, First-team All-C-USA honors, and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. He was also named the 2021 Boca Raton Bowl Offensive MVP following the victory.
New England Patriots (2022–2024)
The New England Patriots selected Zappe in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 137th overall pick. He entered his rookie season as the third-string quarterback behind starter Mac Jones and veteran backup Brian Hoyer. When an injury rendered Jones inactive for Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, Zappe was promoted to the second option. He made his NFL debut that same game after Hoyer was injured on his first drive, completing 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown in the 27-24 overtime loss. Zappe became the first rookie in the league to throw a touchdown pass during the 2022 season.
He earned his first career start the following week against the Detroit Lions, completing 17 of 21 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 29-0 shutout victory. A Week 6 performance against the Cleveland Browns where he threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns made Zappe the first rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win his first two starts while posting a passer rating of at least 100 in each start. He finished his rookie season as the Patriots’ backup behind Jones.
During the 2023 season, Zappe again served as the backup quarterback. After making several relief appearances throughout the season, he was named the starter for Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers following struggles from Mac Jones. The Patriots lost that game 0-6 as Zappe completed 13 of 25 passes for 141 yards. However, he rebounded with a strong performance the following week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, leading New England to a 21-18 upset victory with three first-half touchdown passes. He guided the Patriots to another win against the Denver Broncos but struggled in the season’s final two games against the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. The Patriots waived Zappe on August 26, 2024, as part of final roster cuts.
Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns (2024–Present)
Following his release from New England, Zappe signed with the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad on August 28, 2024. He remained with the Chiefs for the early portion of the season. On October 22, 2024, Zappe was signed to the Cleveland Browns’ active roster from the Chiefs’ practice squad after Browns starting quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending achilles tear. On January 2, 2025, Zappe was announced as Cleveland’s starting quarterback for their Week 18 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
In March 2025, Zappe signed a one-year contract returning to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was waived on August 25, 2025, as part of preliminary roster cuts before joining the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad again on August 28, 2025. On January 12, 2026, Zappe signed a reserve/future contract with the New York Jets.
Playing Style and Strengths
Zappe is known as a pocket passer with quick decision-making ability and solid accuracy on short-to-intermediate routes. His college career at Western Kentucky showcased his capacity to operate in a pass-heavy offensive system with high-volume statistics. He demonstrated the ability to read defenses and deliver timely throws, particularly in high-scoring offensive environments. His career has been characterized by stepping in effectively when called upon as a backup and spot starter, showing poise in his limited NFL opportunities.
Bailey Zappe Career Highlights
Zappe’s career has been defined by his exceptional 2021 college season and his ability to contribute as a backup quarterback in the NFL. He holds the FBS single-season records for passing yards and touchdowns established during his record-breaking year with Western Hilltoppers.
College Achievements
During his lone season at Western Kentucky in 2021, Zappe set FBS records with 5,967 passing yards and 62 touchdowns in a single season. These performances earned him C-USA Most Valuable Player honors, First-team All-C-USA recognition, and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, given annually to the top offensive player with ties to Texas. He was named the 2021 Boca Raton Bowl Offensive MVP after leading the Hilltoppers to victory over Appalachian State.
Professional Career Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Zappe has appeared in 14 games across his professional career with the Patriots and Browns, completing 208 of 335 pass attempts for 2,223 yards with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. His career passer rating stands at 76. He has contributed as both a relief quarterback and spot starter throughout his NFL tenure.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Passing Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career | 14 | 2,223 | 12 | 14 |
| 2021 FBS Season | 14 | 5,967 | 62 | 11 |
Bailey Zappe Family
Personal Life
Zappe grew up in Victoria, Texas, where his high school career laid the foundation for his eventual professional football journey. His successful college career and professional opportunities have brought recognition to his hometown, evidenced by Victoria East High School’s decision to retire his number 4 jersey in 2023. Beyond football, Zappe maintains a presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 NFL season marked another chapter of transitions for Zappe’s career. After beginning the year with the Kansas City Chiefs following his signing in March, he was waived during the final roster cuts in August before joining the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad. His prior experience with the Browns during the 2024 season, including his Week 18 start against the Baltimore Ravens, positioned him as a familiar backup option for the organization. As he continues his professional career with the New York Jets following his January 2026 signing, Zappe remains a capable backup quarterback ready to contribute when opportunities arise.