Malik Melancholy: 'Everybody' on Patriots Believed QB Deserved Chance
The New England Patriots have been plagued by quarterback trouble all season - and their locker room feels a viable solution may have been present the whole time.
Malik Cunningham, who the Patriots signed as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Louisville last Spring, played only six regular-season snaps before being relegated to the practice squad.
Cunningham was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 12, ending his tenure in New England before getting a chance to build on an encouraging preseason. And with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe inspiring little confidence under center, the Patriots' locker room felt Cunningham deserved that opportunity.
"Absolutely," Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown said, via A to Z Sports. "Everybody on the team did. Everybody."
Dec 7, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Malik Cunningham (16) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.
Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
This isn't the first time Brown's backed Cunningham, as he sent a supportive message in the aftermath of his departure to Baltimore.
A key part of Brown's frustration stems from the way Cunningham was treated in New England, as Patriots coach Bill Belichick had him bounce around between quarterback and receiver.
As a result, Cunningham never received a red practice jersey, traditionally given to the quarterbacks. This was innately irritating for Brown when considering Cunningham's talent, which he noted was put on display in the preseason opener against the Houston Texans.
Cunningham played just one series but made it count, leading a 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, helping New England find the endzone for the only time in its 20-9 loss.
During the near-eight-minute possession, Cunningham completed three of four passes for 19 yards and added five carries for 34 yards and a touchdown.
And yet ... no real opportunity, and no red practice jersey.
"I mean, probably the most exciting drive we had in that stadium was against Houston in preseason," Brown said. "Like, my guy couldn't even get a red jersey."
Cunningham threw only two passes the rest of the preseason, both incomplete, and saw brief action in New England's Week 6 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Patriots didn't feel Cunningham warranted a spot on the 53-man roster, but the Ravens did, and the 25-year-old is now serving as one of four signal callers on Baltimore's active roster.
Ironically, Cunningham's career has played out similar to how Brown predicted.
"It's funny because I told him months ago if (the Ravens) ever called, if anybody, that's the team where he should go," Brown said. "It was almost like I saw it coming, and that's really good for him to actually get a real chance to play his real position."
Cunningham hasn't received game action in Baltimore, but Brown remains confident he's in the right spot - and is better off being a Raven than a Patriot.
"I'm sure he's doing well," Brown said. "He's a great athlete, great quarterback. Wasn't many opportunities he got to actually do it (here), but I definitely saw glimpses of him being a good quarterback. So, I wish him well. I wish him the best of luck."
The Patriots are 3-11 and trending toward their worst season in 30 years; the Ravens 11-3 and are Super Bowl favorites in the AFC.
Said Brown, "I'm glad he's in a better place."
