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NY Post
New York Post
30 Aug 2023


NextImg:Bailey Zappe, Malik Cunningham return to Patriots day after cuts

Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham do not have to relocate, at least for the time being, because the Patriots are putting the band back together.

New England waived both QBs on Tuesday to reach the league-mandated 53-man roster limit.

Multiple reports said both quarterbacks cleared waivers and are returning to Foxborough, Mass. as part of the Patriots’ practice squad.

Zappe, a second-year quarterback who the Patriots selected in the fourth round out of Western Kentucky in last year’s NFL draft, stepped in for two games for an injured Mac Jones last season — and New England won both of them.

Cunningham, a rookie, signed this spring as an undrafted free agent from Louisville.

Tom E. Curran, the Patriots insider for NBC Sports Boston, cautioned that these moves may not solidify the final quarterback room behind Jones as we head into the NFL season.

The Patriots cut quarterback Bailey Zappe on Tuesday.
AP

Bailey Zappe went 2-0 as a starter when Mac Jones was hurt last season.

Bailey Zappe went 2-0 as a starter when Mac Jones was hurt last season.
MediaNews Group via Getty Images

“While Zappe returns, that Patriots felt they could live without Zappe and/or could upgrade says quite a bit. As does the fact they were at least a bit confident no other QB room would have a vacancy for him. So he’s back. But things are changed. And Pats may keep on browsing,” Curran tweeted Wednesday afternoon.

When the Patriots opened training camp, the expectation was that Zappe and Jones would compete for the starting quarterback job, with head coach Bill Belichick repeatedly declining to officially announce his QB1 for this season.

Malik Cunningham was an undrafted free agent out of Louisville.

Malik Cunningham was an undrafted free agent out of Louisville.
Getty Images

Jones had a strong rookie campaign in 2021, leading the Patriots into the postseason and earning a trip to the Pro Bowl.

But the Alabama alum struggled last season after offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels took the head coaching job with the Raiders.

Without McDaniels, Belichick turned the offense over to Matt Patricia, who built his reputation on the defensive side of the ball.

Bill Belichick speaks to quarterback Mac Jones before a game in September 2022.

Bill Belichick is turning his offense over to quarterback Mac Jones for the third straight year.
Getty Images

Belichick also named former Giants head coach Joe Judge the Patriots’ quarterbacks coach, even though the bulk of his experience was on special teams.

As a result, Jones regressed and the Patriots missed the playoffs.

Mac Jones on the field.
Mac Jones struggled last season following an impressive rookie campaign in 2021.
AP

In July, Jones spoke about having a “fresh start” with Belichick.

“I think the biggest thing that we’ve all talked about is just having a fresh start. I think there’s a lot of learning experiences from last year that we’ve talked about and this year, it’s all about just working together, right?” Jones said.

“You’ve got to come up with a plan, obviously talk about it, and then execute it. So, I’m excited for that part of it.”