Could Patriots Keep Four QBs After Roster Cuts? Eliot Wolf Weighs In
Patriots veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett and third overall pick Drake Maye are surefire locks to make New England's initial 53-man roster. But what about the much-maligned Bailey Zappe and physically-gifted Joe Milton III?
Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf isn't slamming the door shut on keeping both signal-callers.
"Those are conversations that we'll have moving forward," Wolf told reporters at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, per a team-provided video. "I think we're going to try to carry the best 53, whoever those guys are."
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Based on the recent trajectory during Patriots training camp practices and preseason games, it seems Milton has overtaken Zappe as the third quarterback. The sixth-round rookie offers a much higher ceiling with his physical traits and arm strength and there's an argument to be made Zappe has shown everything he can be during the previous two seasons.
Zappe has seen fewer competitive reps than Milton in recent practices, including a first-time goose egg last Monday. Zappe, who replaced Mac Jones during various points in 2023, also was the fourth quarterback to enter the preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night.
The Patriots have to trim their roster down to 53 players by Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. ET.