Bailey Zappe is an American football quarterback who plays for the Cleveland Browns. He began his college football career with the Houston Baptist Huskies for three seasons. He then transferred to Western Kentucky University where he played his final season. He set records in the FBS for both passing touchdowns and yards in a single season. In 2022, he was drafted by the New England Patriots, serving as a backup quarterback and eventually the primary starter by the end of the 2023 season.
Bailey Michael Zappe was born on April 26, 1999.
In 2003, B. J. Symons set the FBS record for passing yards, a record later broken by Bailey Zappe in 2021.
In 2019, Joe Burrow set the FBS record for passing touchdowns, a record later broken by Bailey Zappe in 2021.
During the 2021 season, Bailey Zappe set FBS records for passing yards (5,967) and touchdowns (62) playing for Western Kentucky University.
In 2021, Bailey Zappe transferred to Western Kentucky University and became their starting quarterback. In his first game for the Hilltoppers, he threw for 424 yards and seven touchdowns in a victory against Tennessee-Martin.
In 2022, Bailey Zappe was named the third-string quarterback for the New England Patriots.
In 2022, Bailey Zappe was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the NFL draft.
On August 29, 2023, Bailey Zappe was waived by the New England Patriots, but was re-signed to their practice squad the next day.
During 2023, Bailey Zappe served primarily as a backup quarterback for the Patriots. His high school, Victoria East, also retired his number 4 jersey this year.
In 2023, Bailey Zappe's jersey number 4 was retired by his alma mater, Victoria East High School.