The Kansas City Chiefs have no shortage of quarterback questions heading into the offseason, with Patrick Mahomes coming off an ACL tear and backup Gardner Minshew scheduled to hit free agency. One potential backup option has already been removed from the market, with NFL Insider Tom Pelissero reporting that former Kansas City quarterback Bailey Zappe has signed a futures deal with the New York Jets.
Looking at the Jets' current quarterback room, it is a mess with Brady Cook, Justin Fields, and Zappe as the current rostered options. New York has a tendency not only to deal with injuries at the position but also to shuffle through its full roster of options. With all signs pointing to Fields likely leaving this offseason, there's a chance that Zappe will face the Chiefs, who have the Jets on their 2026 schedule.
Ex-Chiefs QB Bailey Zappe Could Be in KC's Crosshairs Next Season
For the Chiefs, Zappe joining the Jets is a reminder of the importance of finding depth at the position early in the offseason. Even though the Victoria, TX native didn't accomplish much during his brief K.C. stint, having him in the QB room wouldn't be the worst thing, with Minshew's future uncertain and Chris Oladokun not exactly looking like an NFL signal-caller.
While some fans might be quick to argue that Zappe is far from a reliable starting QB, New York doesn't discriminate. Since the 2023 season, the Jets started Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, Trevor Siemian, Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook. This makes it clear that no matter where you start on the New York depth chart, you have a great chance to play, meaning Zappe could wind up making a few starts — potentially, even against the Chiefs.
Kansas City wouldn't mind a matchup with its former backup or any of the Jets currently rostered. New York isn't an intimidating franchise to play consistently, finding ways to lose and underutilizing what few star players it manages to add.
For Zappe, it is a great chance to breathe a bit of life back into his career and put together a resume capable of landing a stable backup job. After flashing potential as a reliable backup with New England, he has spent time with the Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns, struggling to cement his place in the league. Time will tell if his time with the Jets will go any differently.
Like clockwork, New York will offer Zappe a path to playing time, with it remaining to be seen whether or not he can take advantage. If he does, we just might get a Mahomes vs. Zappe showdown at some point in 2026 — something that hasn't happened since the Chiefs notched a 27-17 win over the New England Patriots in Week 15 of the 2023 season.