The New England Patriots went into Sunday needing a win.
Bailey Zappe, the team’s third-string QB, was the man Bill Belichick and the Patriots turned to against the Detroit Lions.
Injuries to starting QB Mac Jones and backup Brian Hoyer gave Zappe his first-ever career start.
However, after the game, NFL fans were making comparisons with Zappe over another former Patriots QB.
That quarterback is none other than the legendary Tom Brady.
Twitter Was Filled With Zappe/Brady Comparisons
Long time fans of the Patriots remember the season where Drew Bledsoe suffered an injury, giving Brady a chance to play.
Now, with Jones on the sideline with an injury, people are making a comparison to that season with Zappe and this season.
Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones pic.twitter.com/1KCDnFcMms
— Devine Sports Gospel (@DevineGospel) October 9, 2022
While the picture is clearly of Bledsoe and Brady, the Jones/Zappe situation seems very familiar.
However, other Twitter comparisons came earlier when Zappe filled-in for Hoyer during week four against the Packers.
Patriots fans trying to not compare Bailey Zappe to another late round draft pick that started his career as a backup… pic.twitter.com/cMBgeI8P3l
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 2, 2022
Other tweets went deeper into the comparisons with the former Patriots QB and Zappe.
We will all remember this exact moment where Bailey Zappe comes into the game and proceeds to win 6 Super Bowls as the QB of the New England Patriots before flirting with going to the Dolphins and then winning a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay
— Lee Schechter (@LeeSchechter) October 2, 2022
The tweets seem like a hilarious comparison of the team’s rookie QB with their greatest QB in franchise history.
But is Zappe truly the next Brady?
Or did he get lucky going against the worst NFL defense in the Detroit Lions?
Zappe Is Already Showing Brady-Like Traits
Something everyone points out about the seven-time Super Bowl champion QB is how he’s always watching game film.
However, it’s also something Zappe started doing the second the Patriots vs Packers game was over last Sunday.
Patriots QB Bailey Zappe got a jump on Lions film last Sunday night, showed up Monday and impressed many at Gillette with his early work, prepped all week like the starter and has become a popular teammate in a short amount of time. You saw it all come together today.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) October 9, 2022
His work ethic, just hours removed from his first NFL game day action, shows a Brady-like trait to fans.
This is something the Patriots need, as they are in last place in the AFC East.
Belichick and the Patriots aren’t accustomed to being in last place, as their former Super Bowl winning QB spoiled the team.
But now, with Zappe taking over, it feels like an old friend is back in New England.
That feeling is giving fans hope that their season isn’t over.
However, will Belichick let Zappe continue on as the starting QB even after Jones returns from his ankle injury?
History Might Repeat Itself With Zappe In New England
Belichick isn’t a coach that messes with the success of his team.
Fans saw this when he continued to let Brady start, despite Bledsoe being healthy enough to return.
With him abandoning his franchise QB for his new starter, it could easily happen again in New England.
However, it all rides on the success of the rookie QB while Jones is sidelined.
If he can show that he’s not just lucky and that he’s got true talent, maybe there will be a repeat of a backup replacing the starting QB.
He’s already winning over fans and his teammates.
But it will take him winning games to win over the confidence of Belichick.
When he does this, then people can say he’s the second coming of Tom Brady in New England.
Until that happens, he’s just a solid backup with tons of hype behind him in 2022.
NEXT: Bailey Zappe Is Becoming Popular In New England