When Bailey Zappe walked into the Patriots locker room following his first career NFL win, Robert Kraft was waiting for him.
Zappe went for a handshake, but Kraft wanted more. The Patriots’ owner embraced the rookie quarterback with a big ole’ hug.
It’s apparent Kraft is quite Zappe with how the fourth-round pick is performing.
One solid showing over the pathetic Lions, who have the worst defense in the NFL and are surrendering an average of 35 points per game, doesn’t mean Zappe is on the cusp of replacing Mac Jones as the Patriots’ starting QB. But it’s clear the owner is in his corner.
That can’t hurt.
“It’s been awesome to have his support and talk to him,” said Zappe Monday on Merloni, Fauria & Mego. “Kind of what we talked about after the game, he just told me congratulations on the win. (He said) I was poised, comfortable, he liked all that, he liked the way we won. It was just a little quick conversation.”
It may have been a brief exchange, but Kraft is reportedly saying the same things behind the scenes, too. Last week, Bill Simmons relayed a tidbit from a “Patriots birdie” who told him “Kraft loves Zappe.”
In fact, Kraft thought Zappe should’ve started over Brian Hoyer in Green Bay, according to Simmons.
Kraft is getting his wish. With a win under his belt, Zappe seems to have the job until Jones returns.
It might be getting a little uncomfortable for Jones in Foxborough. There was some apparent disagreement between Jones and the Patriots over how to handle his high-ankle sprain, given Jones’ decision to seek a second opinion.
Two weeks ago, Belichick told reporters Jones was “definitely getting better” — just three days after he left the field screaming in pain against the Ravens.
While the two Alabama quarterbacks who played in front of Jones, Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts, opted for the new tightrope surgery when they sprained their ankles, Jones is going with rest and rehab.
Tagovailoa returned less than one month after his severe sprain in 2019, only to dislocate his hip a few weeks later.
The expectations for Jones were high entering his sophomore season. Bill Belichick boasted about his improvement, and Kraft said “this year will be very telling” for the second-year passer.
Through three games, it looked like Jones regressed from his successful rookie campaign. He’s thrown five interceptions, including three against Baltimore.
Jones wasn’t dealt an easy hand this season. Matt Patricia and Joe Judge took over the offense, and the Patriots failed to acquire additional playmakers in free agency. Jones’ favorite target, Kendrick Bourne, has spent the early portion of the season in Belichick’s doghouse.
But that excuse almost certainly won’t fly in Foxborough, especially if Zappe keeps playing mistake-free football. In a telling rant, Belichick buddy Mike Lombardi ripped into Jones following the Ravens game, questioning his ability.
“Part of the allure for me with Mac Jones is that he was going to be a smart player. Protect the football at all costs. But he's playing out of control. What does he think he is?,” said Lombardi. “He's throwing the ball up for grabs. Seriously. You're not overly skilled.”
Those are harsh words.
Being on a receiving end of a hug from the owner seems much more enjoyable.
