Who Should I Start? Gardner Minshew or Bailey Zappe

Wednesday, March 5, 11:17 AM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II will be released by the organization when the new league year begins on March 12, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $25 million contract with the Raiders last offseason but is headed out after just one year. Since being selected in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Washington State, Minshew has thrown for 11,950 yards, 68 touchdowns, and 34 interceptions in 59 game appearances with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and Raiders. He is one of the better backup quarterbacks in the NFL, so he will likely draw plenty of interest on the open free-agent market.

Saturday, January 4, 9:28 PM

Cleveland Browns quarterback Bailey Zappe completed 16 of his 31 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions while adding two yards on two carries in a 35-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. Zappe made his first and only start of the season for the Browns in the finale while showing spotty accuracy and a lack of arm strength in the lopsided loss. His first interception came in the first quarter and was a back-breaker as it was thrown right into the hands of rookie corner Nate Wiggins, who returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. The Browns turned to Dorian Thompson-Robinson to lead a drive at the end of the first quarter but he only wound up taking six snaps in the contest before the team reinserted Zappe at the beginning of the second quarter. An unrestricted free-agent heading into the offseason, Zappe will look to catch on as a backup quarterback somewhere ahead of the 2025 season.