We’ll never know what might have happened with the Patriots and Malik Cunningham. According to ESPN’s Adam
Schefter, the rookie quarterback from the New England practice squad is being signed by the Baltimore Ravens to
their roster.
Cunningham’s journey to New England was peculiar, having joined as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville over
the summer. Cunningham was a standout quarterback at Louisville, so the Patriots invested a lot of effort in
developing him as a receiver in training camp and the preseason.
Cunningham was removed as part of New England’s last roster moves prior to the regular season, despite a few
strong preseason performances, only to be added back to the practice squad. Cunningham signed a three-year
contract with New England and was added to the Patriots’ 53-man roster prior to the team’s Week 6 loss in Las
Vegas. However, he only participated in six snaps that afternoon before being waived the following week.
Cunningham did not play any more snaps for the Patriots after being added back to the practice squad and then
upgraded twice on game day.
He’s now on his way to Baltimore, which Cunningham ought to find ideal. As a backup to Lamar Jackson, with whom
he played alongside at Louisville in 2017, Cunningham’s skill set should be better utilized by the Ravens.
In addition, the rookie will get to see the NFL playoffs, something Cunningham with the 3-10 Patriots was not going
to get. With New England having one of the worst offenses in the NFL in 2023, it is regrettable and disheartening
that the Patriots were unable to find a role for Cunningham.
