In a surprising move, the New England Patriots have once again parted ways with quarterback Bailey Zappe, waving him from their roster ahead of the Tuesday deadline, as reported by NFL Media. This marks the second time in as many years that Zappe has been released by the Patriots, raising questions about his future with the team.

Last year, Zappe was waived by the Patriots before making a swift return via the practice squad. With this history and familiarity between Zappe and the team, it remains to be seen if a similar scenario will unfold this time around.

Zappe had started the spring as the team's second-string quarterback, behind Jacoby Brissett, likely due to seniority. However, his position quickly diminished as rookie quarterback Drake Maye, the third overall pick, moved ahead of him on the depth chart. As the summer progressed, Zappe found himself falling further behind, trailing fellow rookie quarterback Joe Milton III in reps.

In the preseason finale against Washington, Zappe was given an opportunity to showcase his skills in the final series of the exhibition game. Despite this, it seems his performance was not enough to secure a spot on the Patriots' 53-man roster.

The decision to release Zappe is not entirely unexpected, as the Patriots have been trimming down their roster to meet the deadline. While it is undoubtedly a setback for Zappe, it remains to be seen if he will be given another chance with the team, as he was last year.

The future for Bailey Zappe in the NFL is uncertain at this time. However, his resilience and potential as a quarterback may present him with opportunities elsewhere in the league. As the regular season approaches, football fans will be keeping an eye on Zappe's journey and where he lands next.