The New England Patriots surprised many during the 2022 NFL Draft, selecting record-breaking quarterback Bailey Zappe with their fourth-round pick.
Zappe had an unbelievable 2021 season at Western Kentucky, breaking the NCAA record for both passing yards and passing touchdowns in a season in his one year at the program.
Despite his seemingly great resume, it was a bit of a strange move with no clear need at the quarterback position, as the team just drafted starter Mac Jones in the 2021 NFL Draft.
It did, however, put into question what backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham’s role would be going forward with the Patriots.
Many believed that it could be the end of his time with the organization, whether that be with the team releasing him or seeking potential suitors for him this offseason.
Reports have emerged on Thursday that the team has indeed parted ways with Stidham. The Patriots will be trading him to the Las Vegas Raiders along with a future seventh-round pick in return for a future sixth-round pick.
Source: The Patriots are working on a trade to send QB Jarrett Stidham to the Raiders. The teams will flip late-round picks in the deal.
(Credit to @IAmJamesStewart for being on the rumor earlier.)
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 12, 2022
Stidham will now seemingly compete with Nick Mullins to be the primary backup for the Raiders behind Derek Carr.
In his short three-year career with the Patriots, Stidham has yet to prove himself as a capable backup, appearing in just eight games for the team since being drafted in the fourth round in 2019.
Stidham will now join former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas, which could be the best possible scenario for him to thrive in a backup role in the NFL.
The Patriots will instead look for Zappe or veteran backup Brian Hoyer to prove that they can be a serviceable backup behind Mac Jones
