The Kansas City Chiefs are in a Super Bowl hangover. After a dominant 30-point victory over the Washington Commanders in Week 1 of the NFL Preseason, the New England Patriots arrived in Minnesota for a joint practice with the Vikings on Wednesday before the two teams face off on Saturday afternoon.
The big stories coming from that combined practice included Drake Maye and Stefon Diggs continuing to establish a strong connection, and new additions across the defensive line wreaking havoc against J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings offense. Of course, the Patriots had their fair share of mishaps too, which isn’t all too surprising, knowing the caliber of their NFC opponent.
One former Patriot likely lost his QB2 job after a demoralizing performance in the Chiefs vs. Cardinals preseason game this past Saturday.
Bailey Zappe’s Struggles Put Backup Spot in Jeopardy
Bailey Zappe, once a promising prospect for the New England Patriots, is now facing a career crossroads with the Kansas City Chiefs. After a disastrous preseason performance against the Arizona Cardinals, Zappe’s chances of securing the QB2 role behind Patrick Mahomes are dwindling rapidly. The former fourth-round pick’s struggles have opened the door for Chris Oladokun to potentially leapfrog him on the depth chart.
Zappe was the Patriots’ fourth-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft after being the single-season passing yards leader (5967) in college football history at Western Kentucky. He had an up-and-down tenure with the Patriots, replacing Mac Jones and succeeding in a few games, but ultimately, he was never going to be New England’s long-term answer.
The Victoria, TX native started eight games for the Patriots between the 2022 and 2023 seasons, going 4-4 with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He completed a measly 62.3% of passes and only averaged 146 yards through the air, ultimately leading to his release last offseason. The Patriots were going in a new direction with Drake Maye and Joe Milton, leaving no room for Zappe in New England’s quarterback room.
Chris Oladokun Seizes the Opportunity
While Zappe faltered, Chris Oladokun, the Chiefs’ fourth-string quarterback, delivered a more composed performance. Although his numbers weren’t eye-popping, Oladokun showcased better decision-making and mobility, including a notable 26-yard rush. This performance has ignited the conversation about whether Oladokun could surpass Zappe as the primary backup.
One day after being waived by the Patriots, the Chiefs signed Zappe to their practice squad. He would spend the first two months of last season with Kansas City before being signed to the Browns’ active roster. Zappe made one start for the Browns in their Week 18 game against the Ravens.
In the season finale, Zappe completed 16 of 31 passes for 161 yards, a touchdown pass, and two interceptions as his team lost 35-10. His efforts helped the Browns secure the No.2 overall pick this past April.
Gardner Minshew’s Veteran Presence
The Chiefs also brought in veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew this offseason, adding another layer of competition to the backup battle. Minshew’s experience and steady play have positioned him as a strong contender for the QB2 role. His ability to avoid mistakes and manage the game effectively gives him an edge over the more erratic Zappe.
As Zappe is still a young player and showed small flashes in New England, the Chiefs wanted to take a chance on him again. He signed a one-year, $1.1 million deal with the team this past March, as Kansas City also brought in veteran Gardner Minshew to back up Patrick Mahomes.
Throughout camp, Zappe and Minshew have been battling for the Chiefs’ QB2 spot. Minshew has started 46 games throughout his career, but holds a 17-29 record in those starts. Zappe has far less experience, but there still was a chance he could be named the backup to Mahomes, until this past Saturday.
Preseason Performance Decisive
Minshew completed 6 of 9 passes for 54 yards and also added a touchdown on the ground. He played mistake-free football, unlike Zappe. Zappe’s struggles were evident in the preseason game against the Cardinals, where he threw two interceptions and struggled with accuracy. His performance highlighted the need for a reliable backup who can protect the ball and make sound decisions.
It may have only taken one week of preseason action for the Chiefs to figure out who their backup option was, as Minshew completed 6/9 passes for 54 yards and also added a touchdown on the ground. He played mistake-free football, unlike Zappe.
Zappe went 8-for-17 with 70 yards and two interceptions, putting the ball in harm’s way multiple times. Both receivers Zappe targeted on his picks were not open, and looked like prayers looking to be answered.
Zappe’s NFL Future Uncertain
With Gardner Minshew seemingly locking down the QB2 role, Zappe’s future with the Chiefs hangs in the balance. A strong showing in the final preseason game could potentially salvage his chances, but another lackluster performance might lead to his release. If that happens, Zappe could be looking for his third team in a year.
To make matters worse for Zappe, the Chiefs’ fourth-string QB Chris Oladokun had a better night, going 6-for-13 with 39 yards and a 26-yard rush.
Andy Reid has only kept two quarterbacks on the final 53-man roster for the past two seasons. Gardner Minshew is the clear QB2 as of now, with Zappe needing a strong performance in Friday’s preseason game against the Seahawks.
If not, the former Patriots signal-caller could be searching for his third team in a one-year span.
Key Takeaways
The battle for the Chiefs’ backup quarterback position has taken an unexpected turn. Bailey Zappe’s struggles in the preseason have created an opportunity for Chris Oladokun to potentially move up the depth chart. With Gardner Minshew also in the mix, the Chiefs have multiple options to consider as they finalize their roster.
For Zappe, the upcoming preseason game is crucial. He needs to demonstrate significant improvement to secure his spot on the team. Otherwise, he may find himself searching for a new opportunity elsewhere in the NFL. The pressure is on for the former Patriots quarterback to prove his worth and turn his fortunes around.
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