With veteran newcomer Jacoby Brissett and 2024 first-rounder Drake Maye viewed as roster locks, Zappe figures to compete with rookie sixth-rounder Joe Milton and Nathan Rourke for slotting on the Patriots' QB depth chart, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Alternatively, Callahan suggests that with five QBs in the mix the Patriots could look to move Zappe, who drew six regular-season starts for the team in 2023. For now, however, Zappe remains with the organization that selected him 137th overall in the 2022 Draft. In any case, even if the 25-year-old ends up sticking around as a depth option, he won't have a path to a potential starting role as long as Brissett and Maye are healthy. With that in mind, Zappe could find himself on the radar of other teams seeking signal-caller options once injuries hit.

Zappe appears set to operate as the No. 2 quarterback behind Jacoby Brissett, who is slated to sign a one-year, $8 million contract with the Patriots, John Keim of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zappe started New England's final six games of the 2023 season after beating out Mac Jones, who the Patriots recently traded to Jacksonville for a 2024 sixth-round draft pick, posting a 6:7 TD:INT in that span. Given that New England holds the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, in what's considered a high-end quarterback class, Zappe could end up further down the depth chart with the potential selection of rookie competition.

Zappe completed 12 of 30 passes for 88 yards with two interceptions while adding three rushing attempts for 13 yards in Sunday's 17-3 loss to the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Zappe actually had more passing yards than Trevor Siemian (70) in this snowy defensive battle, but Siemian didn't turn the ball over as the Jets snapped their 15-game losing streak against New England. Zappe posted a 6:9 TD:INT in 10 appearances on the season, including a 6:7 TD:INT in six starts after replacing Mac Jones atop the depth chart. New England will have the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and could opt for a quarterback with that selection.

Zappe completed 16 of 26 passes for 209 yards and three interceptions while adding 37 rushing yards and a touchdown on five carries in Sunday's 27-21 loss to the Bills.

EDGE Analysis

The second-year quarterback got picked off to end two of New England's first three drives, leading directly to 10 points that put Buffalo in the lead for good after Jalen Reagor had opened the game with a kickoff return to the house. Zappe's final INT became a pick-six for Rasul Douglas early in the second quarter. While the QB settled down after that and kept the Patriots in the game, the hole was too deep to escape. The rushing TD was the first of Zappe's career, and he has a 6:5 TD:INT in five starts since replacing Mac Jones under center. Zappe will get one more chance to establish himself as a part of the Pats' future in Week 18 against the Jets.

Zappe completed 25 of 33 passes for 256 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 26-23 win over the Broncos. He also lost a fumble.

EDGE Analysis

It took the Patriots' offense some time to get on track, as they managed just three points in the first half. However, Zappe turned things around in the second half, which began when he orchestrated a five-play, 70-yard touchdown drive on New England's first offensive possession in the third quarter, which he capped with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Ezekiel Elliott. Three possessions later, he led a similar possession that concluded with an 11-yard touchdown toss to Mike Gesicki. Zappe ended his day with a drive to set up a game-winning field goal that came with only seconds remaining in the contest. The effort marks his second multi-touchdown performance in his last three games. While the Patriots are very likely to find a different solution at starting quarterback this offseason, Zappe is solidifying his future in the league with his close to the campaign.

Zappe completed 23 of 31 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown with an interception in Sunday's 27-17 loss to Kansas City.

EDGE Analysis

The second-year QB was efficient but not very productive Sunday, and Zappe wasn't able to build on last week's three-touchdown performance. His ability to move the ball in the second half may have been hurt by the loss of his favorite option, tight end Hunter Henry (knee), who Zappe had hit for a 16 -yard TD in the second quarter prior to his exit. The Patriots have a real shot at landing the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but Zappe is playing for a job next season and isn't likely to let up in Week 16 against the Broncos.

Zappe completed 19 of 28 passes for 240 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the Patriots' 21-18 win over the Steelers on Thursday night. He also rushed three times for 13 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Zappe was the overriding reason a game with the lowest projected total in 30 years exceeded expectations, with the second-year signal-caller turning in the first three-touchdown effort of his career. A bulk of Zappe's success came in the first half, when he connected with Ezekiel Elliott (11 yards) and Hunter Henry (eight, 24 yards) for his trio of scoring tosses. Zappe didn't lead the Patriots to any second-half points, but his one turnover didn't lead to any Steelers scores, either. Given the virtually unprecedented offensive success -- by the Patriots' 2023 standards -- Zappe was able to help spearhead Thursday, he seems like a lock to draw a Week 15 home start against the Chiefs on Sunday, Dec. 17.

Zappe is expected to start Thursday night's game against the Steelers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though coach Bill Belichick declined to publicly name the team's Week 14 starting QB, Zappe appears poised to log another turn on the heels of completing 13 of 25 passes for 141 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers in this past Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers. Given the state of 2-10 New England's offense -- which will be without RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) and WRs DeVante Parker (knee), Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) on Thursday -- Zappe is a lineup option in only the deepest of fantasy formats.

Zappe implied Tuesday that he'll remain the Patriots' starting quarterback Thursday at Pittsburgh, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reports. "Coach (Bill Belichick) has made it pretty clear, but I'll let him announce it to everybody," Zappe said.

EDGE Analysis

Zappe didn't fare much better than previous starter Mac Jones this past Sunday during a 6-0 loss to the Chargers, completing 13 of 25 passes for 141 yards and no touchdowns while rushing four times for 16 yards. On a positive note, Zappe didn't turn the ball over after tossing picks in both of his prior two appearances. His available skill-position talent is in flux considering running back Rhamondre Stevenson has a high-ankle sprain and all of RB Ezekiel Elliott (thigh) and WRs DeVante Parker (knee) Demario Douglas (concussion), JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) also are on the Patriots' Week 14 injury report. As a result, once Belichick makes it official that Zappe will get the nod this week, he doesn't necessarily have the pieces available to produce on the field.

Zappe completed 13 of 25 passes for 141 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers in Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Chargers. He added four rushing attempts for 16 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Zappe failed to lead the Patriots to any points in his first start of the season. He completed just five of 12 passes for 39 yards in the first half, and while Zappe mustered more yardage after halftime, he still didn't move the offense effectively. Mac Jones wasn't much better prior to being benched, so it remains to be seen which quarterback the Patriots will turn to on a short week against the Steelers on Thursday. Per Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site, the team also had plays drawn up for mobile rookie Malik Cunningham, so the latter may work his way into the mix under center as well.