With the New England Patriots and Mac Jones struggling mightily this year, it looks like it will be Bailey Zappe’s time in Foxborough beginning in Week 13. The young quarterback has an opportunity in front of him on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers to show his ability and possibly parlay this situation into something more permanent going forward.
While the chances of Zappe doing anything over the next month and a half that would stop the Patriots from drafting another quarterback for the future is slim to none, Zappe still has a chance to audition himself, even if it means it’s ultimately for another club.
With Zappe now stepping into the spotlight as the Patriots’ expected starter, let’s take a look at how much he is making this year and going forward.
Bailey Zappe’s Salary and Contract
Zappe’s contract situation is an interesting one. The young quarterback was drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Western Kentucky, but due to some roster churning and maneuvering, Zappe is not currently playing under his originally signed rookie deal.
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Zappe was cut just before the season began and subjected to waivers. The Patriots took the risk that another team would place a claim on the young quarterback, as New England had the intention of signing him back to its practice squad.
The gamble paid off, as the team was able to bring Zappe back and sign him to a new deal as a result. Zappe signed a two-year, $1,765,000 contract with the Patriots upon his re-signing, including an average annual salary of $882,500. In 2023, Zappe will earn a base salary of $870,000, with that number serving as his cap hit as well.
According to Spotrac, in 2024, Zappe is projected to have a salary of $985,000 before becoming a restricted free agent in 2025. The Patriots currently have contractual control over the quarterback until that point, and when 2025 arrives, the team will have options on how they would like to proceed.
It is far too early, with a very little body of work with which to project what Zappe’s future looks like right now. He has a chance to set himself up tremendously, beginning with a productive performance Sunday, but beyond this weekend, the future is a huge unknown for Zappe and the Patriots organization as a whole when it comes to the quarterback position.
The expectation is that there may be widespread changes in New England after this year, but just how far it reaches and who will be impacted is unknown at this time. All that is guaranteed is Sunday and a chance for Zappe to be the quarterback the Patriots have been lacking this year.
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