Magic Exposed: New England Patriots Surprisingly Cut Malik Cunningham
The New England Patriots' on-again/off-again love affair with rookie Malik Cunningham has yet again cooled, as the team surprisingly waived the quarterback/receiver from its 53-man roster Tuesday afternoon.
Cunningham could be re-signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers. But it was just 10 days ago that the relationship seemed to be heating up. The Patriots signed him to a three-year contract, coach Bill Belichick raved about his progress, and then played him six combined snaps at receiver and quarterback in the Oct. 15 loss at the Las Vegas Raiders.
After netting zero yards in that game Cunningham slid down New England's quarterback depth chart behind Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and Will Grier, and was inactive for last Sunday's upset win over the Buffalo Bills.
The Patriots' love affair with rookie Malik Cunningham is apparently off again, as he was cut on Tuesday.
USA Today
Now again exposed to losing the talented 25-year-old, the Pats could have protected him from waivers by simply elevating him from the practice squad instead of signing him to the roster on Oct. 14. But if they would have elevated him, they could not have used him for the emergency "third quarterback rule." So in order to make Cunningham Jones' backup in Las Vegas, they had to sign him to the 53.
Cunningham initially signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent last April and wound up on the practice squad after some impressive pre-season flashes. He could have been signed by any team off of New England's practice squad or when he was originally cut in August, but wasn't. So apparently the Pats have confidence he will remain in the organization.
The team also released veteran defensive end Trey Flowers, rather than activate him from the Physically Unable to Perform list. He played in 55 games and won a pair of Super Bowl rings during his first run in New England but was injured in August and hasn't played this season.
