Who's No. 2? Zappe, Corral Competing for Patriots' Backup QB Behind Mac
In a whirlwind week that the saw the New England Patriots go from four quarterbacks on their roster, down to just one, and then back up to four, all the maneuvering begs the question:
If starter Mac Jones gets injured in the Sept. 10 opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, who replaces him? After six roster moves involving quarterbacks in the span four days, who is No. 2 on the depth chart?
Answer: Likely Bailey Zappe, but behind Jones nothing is set in stone in the Pats' volatile quarterback room.
First, New England cut veteran Trace McSorley, who was clearly behind Jones and Zappe during training camp. But then came the surprises. Bill Belichick cut Zappe and preseason darling Malik Cunningham, leaving only Jones on the roster for an uncomfortable 24-hour period. Both were exposed to waivers, but re-signed onto the practice squad.
Enter Matt Corral. Thursday night the Pats claimed him off waivers from the Carolina Panthers and signed him to the 53-man roster. Therefore - technically - he's ahead of Zappe on the depth chart. But will he stay there?
"Zappe Hour" was a cute storyline in an otherwise nightmare 2022 for New England. When Jones was injured, the fourth-round rookie stepped in and won his first two starts. Jones ultimately won his job back, and Zappe had a disappointing training camp and preseason. He went 30 of 51 for 253 yards and a touchdown, but fumbled three times on sacks in the preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans.
The fact that Belichick was willing to lose Zappe on waivers speaks volumes. Same for Cunningham, who dazzled in the preseason opener but tailed off at both receiver and quarterback. He'll begin the season No. 4 on the depth chart.
Corral was taken one round before Zappe in the 2022 NFL Draft, but missed his entire rookie season after suffering an injury in a preseason game at Gillette Stadium. He played 94 snaps this preseason for the Panthers, going 28 of 47 for 249 yards and an interception. He rushed for 47 yards, but was sacked five times. He was clearly behind No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and veteran Andy Dalton in Carolina.
What Corral lacks in experience - he has yet to appear in an NFL game, while Zappe threw 92 passes and five touchdowns in four games as a rookie - he makes up for in potential. In college at Mississippi he was a gritty, creative leader who beat teams with his arm and his legs, excelling in the RPO game.
His ceiling is a combination of Zappe and Cunningham.
Because of his familiarity and experience, Zappe has the edge. He's been in New England's system for two years; Corral on the roster less than two days. But Corral is only in Foxboro because Belichick wasn't content with Zappe's second-year development.
In what might be a revolving door behind Jones early in the season, Zappe could be called off the practice squad and Corral sent down. And vice-versa. At time when the Patriots have three days off before beginning preparations for the Eagles on Monday, can Corral overtake Zappe?
