Bailey Zappe Bio
Bailey Michael Zappe (born April 26, 1999) is an American professional football quarterback currently listed on the roster of the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 215 pounds, Zappe built his reputation as a record-setting passer at Western Kentucky before joining the NFL. Over the course of his professional career, he has spent time with the New England Patriots, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Cleveland Browns. He is best known for setting FBS single-season records for passing yards and passing touchdowns during his final college season.
Zappe has alternated between backup and starting duties throughout his NFL career, stepping in for injured or struggling quarterbacks and producing several notable performances. He was a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft and has earned recognition as a reliable short-term starter when called upon.
Early Life and Background
Bailey Michael Zappe was born on April 26, 1999, in Victoria, Texas, and grew up in the same South Texas community. He attended Victoria East High School, where he developed into a productive dual-threat quarterback. As a senior, Zappe passed for 3,770 yards and 37 touchdowns, while also rushing for 633 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns on the ground.
Despite those strong numbers, Zappe was not heavily recruited by major college programs. He committed to Houston Baptist University, which was his only scholarship offer. In 2023, Victoria East High School retired his No. 4 jersey to honor his football career and his roots in the community.
Path to American Football
Zappe began his college career as a starter for the Houston Baptist Huskies, starting nine games in his first year and passing for 1,548 yards with five touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He continued to develop as a redshirt sophomore, completing 357 of 560 passes for 3,811 yards with 35 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. His growth at the FCS level established him as a productive passer, even as the program played through schedule disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the Southland Conference canceled its fall football season, Zappe passed for 1,833 yards and 15 touchdowns against just one interception in four games during a shortened spring schedule. He then entered the transfer portal and followed his former Houston Baptist offensive coordinator, Zach Kittley, to Western Kentucky University, bringing his top wide receiver Jerreth Sterns with him. Zappe was immediately named the Hilltoppers’ starting quarterback for the 2021 season.
Bailey Zappe Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
At Houston Baptist, Zappe spent three seasons developing his arm strength and decision-making. He grew from a raw freshman starter into one of the most productive passers in program history, finishing his redshirt sophomore year with 35 passing touchdowns. The shortened 2020 campaign gave him a smaller stage, but his efficiency during that window kept him on the radar of FBS programs.
His final year at Houston Baptist ended with a transfer decision that set the stage for a historic senior season. By choosing Western Kentucky and reuniting with Kittley, Zappe positioned himself for a record-breaking run in Conference USA.
Western Kentucky Breakthrough (2021)
Zappe made an immediate impact at Western Kentucky, throwing for 424 yards and seven touchdowns in a 59–21 win over Tennessee-Martin in his first start. Throughout the 2021 regular season, he led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 5,545 passing yards and 56 passing touchdowns, putting him in range of long-standing FBS single-season records.
In the 2021 Boca Raton Bowl against Appalachian State, Zappe broke both FBS single-season records, finishing the year with 5,967 passing yards and 62 passing touchdowns. He surpassed the passing yardage mark set by B. J. Symons of Texas Tech in 2003 and the touchdown record previously held by Joe Burrow of LSU in 2019. Zappe was named Conference USA Most Valuable Player, a first-team All-Conference USA selection, and the winner of the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, while also earning Offensive MVP honors in the Boca Raton Bowl.
New England Patriots Era (2022–2023)
The New England Patriots selected Zappe in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft with the 137th overall pick. He entered his rookie season as the third-string quarterback behind Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer. When injuries struck during Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, Zappe was promoted mid-game and made his NFL debut, completing 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown in a 27–24 overtime loss. He became the first rookie that season to throw a touchdown pass.
Zappe earned his first NFL start the following week against the Detroit Lions, completing 17 of 21 passes for 188 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a 29–0 shutout victory. After a Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns in which he passed for 309 yards and two touchdowns, he became the first rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win his first two starts with a passer rating of at least 100 in each. Later that season he relieved a struggling Jones against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, throwing a touchdown on his first drive, but the Patriots lost 33–14.
In 2023, Zappe was waived on August 29 as part of final roster cuts, re-signed to the practice squad the next day, and returned to the active roster on September 9. After several relief appearances, he was named the starter for Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers following struggles from Mac Jones, suffering his first career loss as a starter. He then led the Patriots to a 21–18 upset victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing three touchdowns in the first half. After a Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos, Zappe struggled in season-ending losses to the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, combining for less than 300 passing yards, five interceptions, and no touchdowns over those two games. He was waived again on August 26, 2024.
Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns Era (2024)
On August 28, 2024, Zappe signed with the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs. On October 22, 2024, he was signed to the active roster of the Cleveland Browns after Browns starter Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. On January 2, 2025, Zappe was announced as Cleveland’s starting quarterback for their Week 18 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The stint gave Zappe his most extended late-season opportunity in the NFL to that point. It also marked his transition from a practice-squad role into a meaningful depth piece for a team fighting through injuries at the most important position on the field.
Return to Kansas City and Cleveland (2025)
On March 17, 2025, Zappe signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, only to be waived on August 25 as part of preliminary roster cuts. On August 28, 2025, he signed with the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad to rejoin the organization that had previously given him his first extended regular-season opportunity.
New York Jets (2026–Present)
On January 12, 2026, Zappe signed a reserve/future contract with the New York Jets, joining a quarterback room in transition. The move positioned him to compete for a depth role heading into the next league year and gave him a fresh opportunity to build on his experience as a fill-in starter.
Notable Events and Milestones
Zappe’s signature moments include breaking the FBS single-season records for passing yards and touchdowns in the 2021 Boca Raton Bowl, becoming the first rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win his first two starts with a passer rating of at least 100, and earning the first start for the Cleveland Browns in their 2024 season finale against the Baltimore Ravens. He is also one of the few quarterbacks in recent NFL history to record a 29–0 shutout in his first NFL start, against the Detroit Lions in 2022.
Bailey Zappe Career Wins
Bailey Michael Zappe’s career wins span all levels of football, from his high school production in Victoria, Texas, to record-setting college performances and several memorable NFL victories. In the NFL, he is 3–0 as a starter through his first three starts with the New England Patriots in 2022, including a 29–0 win over the Detroit Lions and a Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns. He also led the Patriots to a 21–18 upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers and a 26–23 win over the Denver Broncos in 2023.
Western Kentucky Highlights
Zappe’s Western Kentucky career is defined by the 2021 season, in which he led the FBS in both passing yards and passing touchdowns before breaking both single-season records in the Boca Raton Bowl. His final college totals include 5,967 passing yards and 62 passing touchdowns, numbers that placed him at the top of the FBS record book. He also earned Conference USA Most Valuable Player, first-team All-Conference USA, and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award that season.
Bailey Zappe Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Zappe’s background is rooted in Victoria, Texas, where he was raised and attended Victoria East High School. The community recognized his accomplishments in 2023 when Victoria East retired his No. 4 jersey. Details about his parents and broader family are not widely documented in verified sources.
Personal Life
Publicly verified details about Zappe’s personal life are limited. He is known by the nickname pronunciation “ZAP-ee.” Information regarding a spouse, partner, or children has not been confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Zappe’s 2025 season began with a one-year contract signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on March 17, 2025, giving him a chance to compete in a championship-caliber quarterback room. He was waived on August 25 as part of preliminary roster cuts, ending his Chiefs tenure before the regular season started.
On August 28, 2025, Zappe signed with the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad, returning to an organization that had previously promoted him to the active roster during the 2024 season. His role in Cleveland centered on providing experienced depth at quarterback and remaining ready to step in if injuries required.
On January 12, 2026, Zappe signed a reserve/future contract with the New York Jets, opening the next chapter of his career. As he enters 2026, his path back into a starting role will depend on how he performs in preseason competition and whether any of the quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart face injuries during the year.
