The cuts have begun.
While the NFL’s cutdown deadline for teams to reduce their rosters from 90 to 53 players is set for Sunday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m. ET, the New York Jets and teams across the league have already begun making their decisions.
According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Jets have made their first cut, releasing quarterback Bailey Zappe.
Zappe, 27, entered the summer as the top competitor with fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik for the Jets’ QB2 duties. However, after a rough start to the preseason, he was quickly removed from those conversations, and now he finds himself looking for a new home ahead of the regular season.
Throughout the Jets’ three preseason games, Zappe completed 60.9% of his passing attempts for 135 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions, including a pick-six.
While it’s important to note that one of his INTs was largely due to a drop from Arian Smith, it was still a less-than-ideal showing for the former Cleveland Brown.
The Jets’ ultimate plan at QB2 remains unknown, particularly after Klubnik’s less-than-stellar end to the preseason, but Zappe is the first Jet reportedly out the door as roster cuts take place.
Given that he has only three accrued NFL seasons, Zappe is subject to waivers.
Jets X-Factor will carry you through all the cuts. Here is a list of the cuts New York has reportedly made thus far, and our list will be updated in real time.
