Zappe made one start with the Browns, adding his name to the quarterback jersey list.
Next up on our list of Cleveland Browns free agents, we look at whether the team should retain quarterback Bailey Zappe, who is a restricted free agent.
How and When They Joined the Browns
A fourth-round pick by the Patriots in 2022, Zappe was on the Chiefs’ practice squad at the start of the 2024 season. He stayed there until October 22, when the Browns signed him off the Chiefs’ practice squad in order to have more depth after Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles.
Productivity Level Last Season
Zappe joined a list of quarterbacks who made their lone start in a Browns uniform in the final week of the regular season. Cleveland really wanted to stick with Dorian Thompson-Robinson, but the production level for DTR was just too below average with little sign of improvement. Cleveland didn’t necessarily want to win the final game either to blow their draft position, but they went with a change nonetheless.
Zappe was underwhelming against the Baltimore Ravens, completing 16-of-31 passes for 170 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Here’s how his first quarter went in that game:
The Browns gave up on Jameis for Bailey Zappe pic.twitter.com/mx30eFo10U
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) January 4, 2025
What the Browns Should Do
I know Zappe spent half the season with the Browns, but he is no answer for the future, so I wouldn’t even want him back as a minimum salary player. He is a restricted free agent, so it would cost the Browns an original round tender ($3.263 million) to keep him from hitting the open market. No thanks. There’s a slight chance they let him become a free agent, and then sign him to a minimum salary deal/
Let us know below whether or not you think the Browns should re-sign Bailey Zappe.