(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots shocked the world by releasing Bailey Zappe, who was originally projected to compete with Mac Jones for the QB1 job or at least serve as his backup.
The Patriots waived him and Malik Cunningham and then signed them to their practice squad, but they still needed to add someone to back up Jones.
That’s why they claimed former Carolina Panthers’ QB Matt Corral off waivers.
The third-round pick out of Ole Miss was a promising prospect when he first entered the league, but he failed to impress in the preseason and get a spot behind No. 1 pick Bryce Young and veteran backup Andy Dalton.
When asked about his prospect as the Pats’ QB2, Bill Belichick gave another classic Bill Belichick answer, stating that they don’t know how he’ll fare because he hasn’t even played yet (via Evan Lazar).
Belichick said “I don’t know. He hasn’t even been on the field yet” when asked about Matt Corral being the backup QB on Sunday.
On Zappe, Belichick says a lot of factors went into the decision to waive him: “Glad to have Bailey. Still think he’s a good, young developing player.”
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) September 4, 2023
Chances are that Corral will still have to earn his spot as the undisputed No. 2, as Zappe remains in line in the competition, with Belichick calling him a good developmental player.
People speculated that the Patriots’ shocking decision to leave Jones as the only quarterback in their 53-man roster was a way to let him know that they fully trust him.
But now that they’ve added a young, promising player behind him, the pressure could pile up for the third-year pro, who’s coming off a disappointing season.
Corral missed his entire rookie season after suffering a Lisfranc injury in the preseason, but it’s still too early to give up on him after what he did at Ole Miss.
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