Patriots helmet Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots had a rather crowded quarterback room this offseason and preseason with veteran Jacoby Brissett and rookie Drake Maye competing for a starting job with veteran Bailey Zappe and rookie Joe Milton battling for a third quarterback spot behind them. But it sounds like that room just got a little less crowded.

According to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz on social media, the New England Patriots have decided to part ways with veteran quarterback Bailey Zappe as they look to trim their roster down to the 53-man limit.

“The Patriots have informed QB Bailey Zappe that he’s being released, per multiple sources. Zappe is well liked in the building, but it’s a crowded New England quarterback room with veteran Jacoby Brissett, alongside rookies Drake Maye and Joe Milton,” Schultz said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.

Zappe joined the team as a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and started eight games over the course of his two seasons with the team, even replacing previous starter Mac Jones as the team’s starting quarterback when Jones was benched at the end of last season.

Clearly, the Patriots just didn’t have room on the roster for him.

[Jordan Schultz]