“Bailey Zappe can’t spark woeful offense.” The 2023 season ended with a topsy-turvy situation for the quarterback when his team lost 10 games and won just 3 under him. After he took over the role of Mac Jones as New England’s starting quarterback, many speculated he is the next long-term QB for the Pats after Tom Brady. Even by ESPN’s broadcast of a 2022 Monday Night Football game, he was called “the most popular man in New England.” But even after Mac Jones was benched, Bailey couldn’t turn the tables around or produce something promising. We are talking about a franchise that wrote histories and built legacies. Right? But, post-Brady era the dynasty seemed to be crumbling and last year appeared like a final coffin in the nail, especially when the Pats lost to the Jets 17-3 in their final game of 2023 season.

However, came the 2024 NFL draft, and Pats had a shot at resurrection, in the form of none other than Drake Maye. But the 21-year-old who looks promising, does he have that ability in him? Well, former Patriots tight end, Rob Gronkowski believes so. In a recent episode of First Things First on August 9, 2024, Rob Gronkowski joined the hosts Nick Wright and Kevin Wildes to talk about the Patriots. When asked about his thoughts on two quarterbacks (Darke Maye and Bailey Zappe) of New England, Gronk praised Maye, “I think Drake Maye did a job well done for the six plays that he played.” He even found it odd that Maye, being such a high draft pick, was only given six plays, suggesting that more time should be devoted to seeing what he can do, especially since he needs to be ready when his moment comes during the season.

Gronkowski criticized coach Jerod Mayo, “….you got to see what he [Maye] has, you got to be able to show he’s good, so he’s ready to go when his time is called in the season. But Mayo had a plan and if that was a plan then that’s totally understandable he didn’t want him out there.” Besides giving his remarks on Mayo, he also offered his strong opinion about QB1 Zappe, saying, “With the second offensive line my hot take is that Bailey Zappe needs to be free. They [Patriots] got to either let him go or they got to trade him because he’s taking away reps from Drake Maye. He’s taking away reps from Joe Milton and Bailey Zappe is not going to be on that team by the end of training camp and Bailey Zappe needs to be free, so he can go to another team and show what he has.” Well, that was indeed a hot take from Gronk, who thinks Maye should be given an opportunity and not Zappe, especially after his poor performance last season.

Besides him, Maye was also praised by veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett, who said, “Every day he’s getting better. The good thing about it is, it’s not like ‘Oh, I got it right now.’ He’s just constantly trying to find ways to get better. Making some nice throws out there and you’re seeing his progression come alive.” Additionally, CJ Stroud has also earlier mentioned that Maye is his favorite QB of this year’s draft. Maye has definitely got high praise and confidence which he needed being a rookie. But is that enough?

Drake Maye has a record of 3,608 passing yards in his college career in 2023 with 24 passing TDs. Whereas, on the other hand, his competitor, Bailey Zappe recorded only 1,272 yards in 2023 with just 6 TDs. Probably, that’s the reason why Maye is considered favorite by many, including Gronk, who wants Zappe to be freed. However, there’s a twist in this quarterback game. With the recent game against the Panthers, lot of hidden things came out!

Joe Milton stole the show from Drake Maye and Bailey Zappe?

The Patriots’ preseason game against the Panthers was a moment of pure, unexpected excitement. Joe Milton, a late-round pick, lit up the field, outshining Drake Maye (the highly-touted 3rd overall pick) and QB 1 Bailey Zappe. Milton’s performance was electric with 4 of 6 passes completed for 54 yards, including a stunning 38- yard touchdown. Meanwhile, Maye, who only managed 2 completions for 19 yards, seemed overshadowed. On the other hand, Zappe did play well for the most part, as “he completed 12 of his 20 pass attempts for 108 yards. He didn’t have any touchdowns, but he did throw a 28-yarder to Kayshon Boutte to set up a two-yard Kevin Harris touchdown run.” After the game, Zappe joked that he set up Milton’s 38-yard touchdown to JaQuae Jackson.

However, still he was booed by the Patriots’ fans. This shows the last season’s trauma hasn’t slipped off the shoulders of the fans. Nevertheless, Zappe has learned the habit of ignoring, as he said, “When it was happening the opposite way it really didn’t bother me and when it’s happening this way it didn’t bother me either.”

So, it’s just the preseason. Both rookies and Zappe are still finding their footing, and Patriots’ other QB Jacoby Brissett, is expected to lead the charge when the real games begin. So, as per reports, Zappe could be benched if the rookie takes him over in performance comparison. And on the other hand, for Maye, the Patriots have big plans. But for now it seems he needs some more time to adapt. However, Milton basked in his moment of glory, you could sense the pressure building among all the quarterbacks.

Nevertheless, this is New England, after all, where underdogs are seen making a history as well as the legends are seen being fired (just like Bill Belichick).