The New England Patriots have made a surprising move at quarterback amid cries for a change.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Patriots signed rookie QB Malik Cunningham to a three-year contract and moved him from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
Rather than an elevation, Malik Cunningham is being signed to the 53-man roster with a three-year deal, source said. https://t.co/4laeepzref
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 14, 2023
New England now has four quarterbacks on its roster, including starter Mac Jones, backup Bailey Zappe, and former Carolina Panther Will Grier. It is unknown if Bill Belichick will release one of those quarterbacks (presumably Grier) to make room on the depth chart for Cunningham.
From 2017 to 2022, the 25-year-old Cunningham was a player for Louisville. Cunningham was a free agent when he was signed by the Patriots after going undrafted. He was released in August and later reinstated on the practice squad.
The three-year contract Cunningham signed shows Belichick still has a lot of faith in him. If you don’t see a third or fourth-string quarterback as a long-term member of the squad, you simply don’t sign them to a multi-year contract.
Bill Belichick on Malik Cunningham this week pic.twitter.com/RJM0mjRmLq
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) October 14, 2023
In the Patriots’ last two games—both routs—Jones was benched in favor of Zappe. Could another poor performance force Belichick to start Cunningham or Zappe over Jones? We’ll soon learn.
On Sunday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium, the Patriots take on the Las Vegas Raiders, who are led by Josh McDaniels, a former offensive coordinator under Bill Belichick.
