Who Should I Start? Bailey Zappe or Spencer Rattler

Wednesday, December 4, 12:14 PM

The Cleveland Browns announced on Wednesday that they re-signed free-agent quarterback Bailey Zappe and waived wide receiver Jaelon Darden in a corresponding move. Zappe returns to the Browns after they just cut him on Monday. Now that he's back on the 53-man active roster, he will return to a QB3 role behind starter Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson with Deshaun Watson (Achilles) out for the season. The 25-year-old former fourth-round selection by the New England Patriots in 2022 out of Western Kentucky has played in 14 NFL games (eight starts), which all came with the Patriots the last two seasons, and he's completed 63.2% of his pass attempts for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Zappe can continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Thursday, December 19, 3:47 PM

The New Orleans Saints announced on Thursday that rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will make the start on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. This was the expected decision from the Saints after they benched Jake Haener for Rattler in the Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders. Derek Carr (concussion, hand) is unlikely to play again this year, especially with the Saints unlikely to make the playoffs, so Rattler should start each of the team's final three games of the season. The 24-year-old almost led the Saints to a remarkable comeback against Washington last Sunday, going 10-for-21 for 135 yards and a touchdown. In three starts earlier in 2024, the rookie out of South Carolina completed 59.6% of his passes with a touchdown and two picks. He'll have a tough matchup in Green Bay, and with the lack of weapons around him, he'll be a low-end QB2 play, at best, in fantasy.