Bailey Zappe Bio
Bailey Michael Zappe is an American professional football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 26, 1999, in Victoria, Texas, Zappe rose from a lightly recruited high school prospect to one of the most prolific passers in college football history. He set Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season records for passing yards and passing touchdowns during his senior season at Western Kentucky University in 2021.
Zappe was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft by the New England Patriots and spent his first two professional seasons alternating between backup and starter roles. After a brief stint on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad, he joined the Cleveland Browns in 2024, where he has continued to serve in a backup capacity while making key spot starts.
Early Life and Background
Zappe grew up in Victoria, Texas, and attended Victoria East High School, where he developed into a dual-threat quarterback. During his senior season, he passed for 3,770 yards and 37 touchdowns while adding 633 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most productive players in the region despite drawing limited national attention from college recruiters.
Coming out of high school, Zappe received only one scholarship offer, which came from Houston Baptist University. He committed to the program and joined the Huskies, beginning a college journey that would eventually transform him into an FBS record-setter. In 2023, Victoria East High School retired his No. 4 jersey in recognition of his professional achievements.
Path to American Football
At Houston Baptist, Zappe started nine games in his first season, passing for 1,548 yards with five touchdowns and 10 interceptions while rushing for two more scores. As a redshirt sophomore, he completed 357 of 560 passes for 3,811 yards with 35 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, showing significant growth. His redshirt junior season was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, and he passed for 1,833 yards and 15 touchdowns against just one interception in four games before entering the transfer portal.
Zappe transferred to Western Kentucky University, following former Houston Baptist offensive coordinator Zach Kittley. His top wide receiver at Houston Baptist, Jerreth Sterns, also transferred to join him. Zappe was immediately named the Hilltoppers’ starting quarterback, and in his first start, he passed for 424 yards and seven touchdowns in a 59-21 win over Tennessee-Martin, signaling the beginning of a historic campaign.
Bailey Zappe Career
Western Kentucky Breakthrough (2021)
During the 2021 regular season, Zappe led the FBS in passing with 5,545 yards and 56 touchdowns. Entering the 2021 Boca Raton Bowl, he had thrown for nearly 1,100 yards more than the second-ranked FBS passer and was closing in on the FBS season records for passing yardage and touchdowns, previously set by B. J. Symons of Texas Tech in 2003 and Joe Burrow of LSU in 2019.
In the Boca Raton Bowl against the Appalachian State Mountaineers, Zappe broke both records, finishing the season with 5,967 passing yards and 62 touchdowns. His remarkable performance earned him Conference USA Most Valuable Player honors, first-team All-Conference USA recognition, and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. He was also named the Boca Raton Bowl Offensive MVP, capping one of the most prolific individual seasons in college football history.
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 was initially named the third-string quarterback behind starter Mac Jones and backup Brian Hoyer. When injuries affected both Jones and Hoyer in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, Zappe made his NFL debut, completing 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown in a narrow 27-24 overtime loss. He became the first rookie in the league to throw a touchdown pass that season.
Zappe made his first career start the following week against the Detroit Lions, completing 17 of 21 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown in a 29-0 shutout victory. After a Week 6 victory over the Cleveland Browns in which he threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns, Zappe became the first rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win his first two starts while posting a passer rating of at least 100 in each game. He was eventually returned to a backup role as Mac Jones regained his starting position.
In 2023, Zappe was waived and re-signed to the practice squad before returning to the active roster as Jones’s backup. After making several relief appearances, he was named the starter for Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers, marking his first career loss as a starter. He rebounded the following week to lead New England to a 21-18 upset victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, passing for three touchdowns in the first half. Zappe also led the Patriots to a 26-23 win over the Denver Broncos before struggling in season-ending losses to the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, where he threw five interceptions across the final two games. He was waived as part of final roster cuts in August 2024.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024-Present)
Zappe was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad in August 2024 before joining the Cleveland Browns active roster on October 22, 2024, following a season-ending Achilles injury to Browns starter Deshaun Watson. On January 2, 2025, he was announced as Cleveland’s starting quarterback for their Week 18 game against the Baltimore Ravens, providing valuable late-season experience. He later signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in March 2025 before returning to the Browns practice squad in August 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
Zappe’s most defining milestones include setting FBS season records with 5,967 passing yards and 62 touchdowns in 2021, 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 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award as the top offensive player from Texas. His 2021 Boca Raton Bowl performance cemented his place in college football history.
Bailey Zappe Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Zappe has accumulated several notable victories as both a starter and relief quarterback. His most significant wins include a 29-0 shutout of the Detroit Lions in his first NFL start, a Week 6 victory over the Cleveland Browns during his rookie season, and a 21-18 upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his headline victories, Zappe has provided key contributions in relief appearances for multiple teams, including the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cleveland Browns. His college career featured dominant performances at both Houston Baptist and Western Kentucky, where he set numerous school and conference records while leading the Hilltoppers to a Boca Raton Bowl championship.
Bailey Zappe Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Zappe was raised in Victoria, Texas, where his high school later retired his jersey in honor of his accomplishments. Limited public information is available regarding his immediate family members, parents, or personal relationships, as he has maintained a private personal life focused on his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has seen Zappe navigate multiple team transitions while maintaining his role as a reliable backup quarterback. After signing a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in March 2025, he was waived during preliminary roster cuts in August before being signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad later that same month.
During the 2025 campaign, Zappe has continued to provide veteran depth at the quarterback position for Cleveland. His previous experience as a starter, including his 2022 rookie campaign and 2023 relief appearances, has positioned him as a dependable option should the Browns need to call upon him for extended duty.