The Patriots waived backup quarterback Bailey Zappe on Tuesday, a source confirmed.

The move comes as a major surprise after head coach Bill Belichick entertained the possibility of a quarterback competition as recently as this summer. The Patriots must now find a new backup quarterback behind Mac Jones unless Zappe clears waivers and returns to the team’s practice squad. The team also waived quarterbacks Trace McSorley and Malik Cunningham.

Zappe struggled during training camp and in three preseason appearances in offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s new offense. He played deep into the Patriots’ third and final preseason game Friday and fumbled three times in the game.

The second-year pro played four games and went 2-0 as a starter last season in reserve of Jones, who was dealing with a high ankle sprain at the time. The 24-year-old passer was a fourth-round pick out of Western Kentucky in 2022.