The New England Patriots’ 2023 season faltered for various reasons, notably poor performance from their quarterbacks. Neither Mac Jones nor Bailey Zappe stepped up in crucial moments, leading fans to hope for a chance to see Malik Cunningham, an undrafted free agent, play as quarterback. However, the ex-Louisville player never got the opportunity to start under Bill Belichick. Instead, Cunningham spent his time on the sidelines before moving to the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad in December.
Unlike the Patriots, the Ravens plan on using Cunningham more often in 2024, leading to the announcement of an interesting position change.
Patriots News: Malik Cunningham to Play WR for Ravens
Ravens insider Ryan Mink reports that with Lamar Jackson firmly leading the Baltimore QB room, Malik Cunningham is now officially listed as a wide receiver.
As per Mink’s observations, Cunningham showed promise with “several receptions” during Thursday’s practice. Intriguingly, this shift in position isn’t sudden. Last offseason, the Patriots had intentions of transitioning Cunningham to wide receiver, with former offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien even showcasing footage of Julian Edelman, who successfully made the transition from quarterback to wide receiver, as part of the plan.
It’s well-documented that the transition paid off for Edelman. The QB-turned-WR went on to rack up over 6,800 yards and 36 touchdowns across 137 games with the Patriots while winning a Super Bowl MVP award and three championship rings.
Although Cunningham doesn’t have any experience as a receiver, his time at Louisville proved that he’s dangerous when the ball is in his hands. He racked up 3,182 rushing yards with 50 TDs on 619 carries across five seasons with the Cardinals, leaving time to tell if he can make a similar impact in the NFL.
Given his popularity during his short stint in New England, Patriots fans are rooting for Cunningham’s success in his new role going forward.
Nevertheless, the next step in the 25-year-old’s career proves one thing: Belichick knows when a quarterback makes for a better wideout.
