By Dianna Russini, Zac Jackson and Alex Andrejev
The Browns are signing Bailey Zappe off the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad this week, a team source confirmed Tuesday, as Cleveland faces multiple injuries in its quarterback room.
NFL Network first reported the move, which came after an MRI confirmed Monday that starting quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture during the team’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was promoted to the team’s backup before the game and replaced Watson on Sunday, later exited the contest after suffering a finger injury in the fourth quarter. Jameis Winston, the team’s emergency QB on Sunday, finished the game. Winston went 5-of-11 passing for 67 yards and a touchdown on the final drive of the 21-14 loss.
Zappe, 25, appeared in 14 games, starting in eight, for the New England Patriots across the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The Patriots waived him in August and he immediately signed with the Chiefs. Zappe threw for 2,053 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in New England. His best performance as a pro came against Cleveland, when he passed for 309 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-15 Patriots win on Oct. 16, 2022.
The Browns (1-6) host the Baltimore Ravens (5-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
How will Cleveland use Zappe?
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn’t commit to Winston as the starting quarterback for now, but Thompson-Robinson has an injured middle finger on his throwing hand.
Whether the Browns need an emergency option or an immediate No. 2, Zappe makes sense given his experience and the lack of true free agents. There’s always a quarterback emergency in Cleveland, and now, Zappe must learn the offense quickly in case he has to play. — Zac Jackson, Browns beat writer
(Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
