Zappe Fever has returned to Foxborough.
For the first time since Oct. 16, 2022, Bailey Zappe earned the nod as the Patriots’ starting quarterback, with the second-year pro handed the keys to New England’s offense on its opening drive against the Chargers on Sunday afternoon.
Several reports throughout the week mapped out a scenario where Zappe was going to leapfrog Mac Jones on the QB depth chart, especially after Jones was benched for the fourth time in 11 games on Nov. 26 against the Giants.
Earlier this week, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported that Jones is “unlikely to play” against Los Angeles, with New England also drawing up a package of plays for Malik Cunningham.