Patriots sign Bailey Zappe off practice squad, place Matt Corral on the exempt list
This story has been updated with new information.
The Patriots will sign quarterback Bailey Zappe off their practice squad and will place Matt Corral on the exempt/left squad list, per multiple reports.
The second-year quarterback will serve as Mac Jones backup for Sunday’s home opener against the Eagles.
Zappe will return to the active roster after spending the last 10 days on the practice squad. New England will now be able to elevate two other players off the practice squad. Only two players are allowed to have that designation.
On Friday afternoon, head coach Bill Belichick told reporters the team was still working through who would be the team’s back up.
“That’s a decision we’re going to have to finalize here (on Friday),” Belichick said. “I think (Corral is) a consideration. Bailey certainly has the advantage on experience and time in the system and all that, so we’ll see how that all plays out. We have a couple of different options there, so we’ll kind of see how that goes, try to make the best one.”
Corral spent nine days with the Patriots. Rumors began to swirl on Friday that the young quarterback was a candidate to be released when he wasn’t at practice and was listed as questionable on the injury report. It’s unknown if he will return to the Patriots once he’s activated off the exempt list.
Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien praised both Corral and Zappe earlier this week. O’Brien mentioned there was a level of difficulty of getting Corral up to speed on the team’s playbook.
New England can still add Corral to their practice squad, he will need to clear waivers first. If he clears, the former Panthers quarterback will be able to chose which practice squad he’d like to sign with.
ZappeMania can now resume in Foxboro.
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