Report: Browns free agent QB finds a new home

The Bailey Zappe era has come to an end as he is reportedly signing a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Bailey Zappe era with the Cleveland Browns has apparently come to a close.

Zappe, a free agent after spending a portion of the 2024 season with the Cleveland Browns, is reportedly joining Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew in the quarterback room of the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Browns signed Zappe off the Chiefs’ practice squad in late October after starting quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending tear of his Achilles tendon.

Zappe bided his time while the Browns first went with Jameis Winston, who tossed 12 interceptions, almost as many dropped interceptions, and multiple Pick-6s before turning to Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who did not fare any better with six interceptions against zero touchdown passes.

Having nothing left to lose — other than draft position — the Browns turned to Zappe in the season finale against the Baltimore Ravens and things went about as well as expected in a season of frustration.

To his credit, Zappe did throw a touchdown pass that day, which is more than many a Browns quarterback who started a season finale since 1999 can say.

Zappe closes his Cleveland account having made that lone start, finishing 16-of-31 for 170 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 51.8. His passing yardage puts him ahead of such Browns legends as Spergon Wynn, Jeff Driskel, Nick Mullins, Don Gault, Dick Shiner, and Bruce Gradkowski on the franchise’s all-time list.

With Zappe off to Kansas City, general manager Andrew Berry continues his quest to rebuild the team’s quarterback room, which is currently occupied by Kenny Pickett and no one else.