The Minnesota Vikings had a rough 24 hours. After watching Kirk Cousins depart for the Atlanta Falcons, the team signed Sam Darnold as a bridge quarterback for first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. Unfortunately for everyone involved, McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury and will miss the entirety of 2024. Right now, Minnesota’s depth chart consists of Darnold, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall. These three are not good enough to make it through a full 17-game season, so the Vikings could trade for an experienced starter like Bailey Zappe.
After entering the 2023 season as New England’s primary backup, Zappe started the final six games of the Bill Belichick Era. While he had some impressive moments, his play left a lot to be desired. While on the field, the Western Kentucky product completed 59.9% of his passes for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The Patriots added three quarterbacks over the offseason, all but ensuring the team will trade Bailey Zappe for whatever they can get. With a glaring need at quarterback, could a desperate Vikings team outbid the Ravens or Chargers for the backup quarterback?
If you’re Eliot Wolf, do you call the Vikings and talk Bailey Zappe? Maybe for a sixth-round pick?
— Christopher Price (@cpriceglobe) August 14, 2024
Vikings Could Trade For Bailey Zappe, Steal From Ravens, Chargers
The Baltimore Ravens already have their franchise quarterback in Lamar Jackson, but they do not have a Plan B. After losing Tyler Huntley to the Cleveland Browns, the Ravens currently have career journeyman Josh Johnson entrenched as the QB2. During the preseason debut, Baltimore’s collection of underwhelming backups combined for just 82 total passing yards. That’s a problem, and one that could be solved with a Bailey Zappe trade.
Bailey Zappe might not be a superstar, but he’d easily be the second-best quarterback on this roster. Lamar Jackson missed significant time in two of the past three seasons, and Baltimore needs a player capable of executing a play call. Zappe can’t make plays out of structure, but he should be able to play within this system for short stretches. Additionally, he could improve his overall numbers in a new system with better pass-catchers.
Herbert Insurance
The Los Angeles Chargers will go as far as Justin Herbert will bring them. Unfortunately, that might not be too far in 2024. Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but he’s only one man and cannot throw and catch the ball himself. Perhaps second-round pick Ladd McConkey turns into something special, but the rest of the depth chart leaves little room for excitement. To make matters worse, Herbert will be playing through a plantar fascia injury that will likely cause him pain throughout the season. Herbert might miss some time, and a Bailey Zappe trade could ensure the team has a short-term answer under center.
Easton Stick did his best in relief of Herbert last year, but he’s in danger of losing the backup job to Luis Perez, a quarterback best known for looking ok in various spring football leagues. Zappe might not have a Hall of Fame future, but the quarterback is better than Perez and should be able to start at an adequate level if Herbert needs to miss a week or two with his injuries.
Main Photo: Eric Canha – USA Today Sports
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