NYJ Bailey Zappe
NFL player. Position: QB. Team: NYJ.
Quick Facts
- Position: QB
- Team: NYJ (New York Jets)
- Draft: 2022 NFL Draft, No. 4 overall (4th round)
- Career record: 4-4 as starter (2022–2024)
2026 Outlook
Signed to a futures deal by the Jets in January 2026 after spending the entire 2025 season on the Cleveland Browns' practice squad. While not inspiring, Zappe is the most experienced backup quarterback currently on New York's roster behind starter Geno Smith. With rookie fourth-rounder Cade Klubnik and second-year QB Brady Cook rounding out the QB room, Zappe has a genuine path to the QB2 job entering training camp. The Jets may still explore veteran options (Russell Wilson, Joshua Dobbs, Cooper Rush among names mentioned), but Zappe's NFL starting experience—despite mediocre results—gives him an edge over unproven rookies. (per Bailey Zappe somehow has a real path to the Jets' backup QB job)
His last regular-season appearance was Week 18 2024 (16-of-31, 170 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT in a loss), indicating limited opportunity league-wide despite prior starting experience with the Patriots (4-4, 11 TDs, 12 INTs). Head coach Frank Reich has traditionally preferred confident pocket passers working within structure, and Zappe loosely fits that profile—though his ceiling remains QB3/practice squad rather than meaningful fantasy relevance.
Role / Depth Chart
Competing for backup QB role in training camp; currently third on depth chart behind Geno Smith and Cade Klubnik.
Injury Status
Healthy.
Recent News
- 2026-04-06 — NFL backup quarterback reset: As half the league turns over, who slots in where? (NFL backup quarterback reset: As half the league turns over, who slots in where?)
- 2026-06-12 — 2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Panthers, Jalen Coker Agree To 3-Year, $35M Extension (2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Panthers, Jalen Coker Agree To 3-Year, $35M Extension)
- 2026-06-09 — QB questions for all 32 NFL teams: Contracts, injuries, more (QB questions for all 32 NFL teams: Contracts, injuries, more)
- 2026-05-15 — Bailey Zappe somehow has a real path to the Jets' backup QB job (Bailey Zappe somehow has a real path to the Jets' backup QB job)