According to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Cleveland Browns have signed NCAA record-holder Bailey Zappe off of the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad after quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a serious injury in Week 7.
Zappe, who played for Houston Baptist and Western Kentucky as a collegian, set the NCAA record for most passing yards and touchdowns in a season, with 5,967 and 62 respectively in his 2021 campaign as a Hilltopper.
Though he was never elevated to Kansas City’s 53-man roster during the regular season, Zappe was part of the Chiefs’ outstanding quarterback room, which includes Super Bowl champions Patrick Mahomes and Carson Wentz.
A new QB in Cleveland: The #Browns are signing Bailey Zappe off the #Chiefs practice squad, per sources.
With Deshaun Watson’s season over and Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s status in flux, Jameis Winston could start Sunday vs. Baltimore and Zappe would back him up. pic.twitter.com/drBj6rtKEZ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 22, 2024
Kansas City may look to add another young signal-caller to its practice squad after Zappe’s departure, but it remains unclear who they might target to fill the void he will leave.
Stay tuned to see if the Chiefs make a move ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on October 27.