The Patriots may be adding another quarterback to their roster for Sunday’s game
Foxboro, MA: Quarterback Malik Cunningham of the New England Patriots during a preseason game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 10, 2023. (Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots may be adding another quarterback to their roster for this Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Kind of.
According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, hybrid quarterback/wide receiver Malik Cunningham “has been part of the Patriots’ game plan this week” in practice. That suggests the team is at least considering elevating Cunningham from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.
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Cunningham, a college quarterback at Louisville who signed with the Patriots this spring as a UDFA, has mostly worked on converting to wide receiver since the start of spring practices. However he has seen some brief work at quarterback, highlighted by a drive in the preseason opener that resulted in a rushing touchdown. On that drive, Cunningham ran mainly option concepts to work the Patriots’ offense down the field.
Earlier this week, offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien called Cunningham “the most improved player on the practice squad” for the Patriots this year. On Friday, Bill Belichick complimented him as well.
“Malik’s really worked hard and made a lot of improvement. He never really played in the kicking game at Louisville, so he’s started to show up there, never played receiver – didn’t look very good either, in the spring, but he’s really improved there,” Belichick shared. “He can catch the ball, but just route running and finding zones and things like that. But, it’s come pretty naturally to him. He plays a good amount of quarterback. He’s competent there. He’s a smart kid, works hard, and the opportunities he’s had, he’s shown a lot of improvement. It’s a little too early for an induction ceremony here, but definitely a lot of improvement.”
Given that focus on wide receiver, it’s unlikely the Patriots would have Cunningham start or play the majority of the game at quarterback. However, it would make sense for the team to have a package of plays specifically for Cunningham to run tailored to his skillset. O’Brien could then pick his spots when to put Cunningham in the game and go to that package. Given the Patriots’ issues running the ball specifically, being able to change looks like that could be helpful.
Keeping that all in mind, Howe noted there is “a caveat” to Cunningham potentially being elevated this Sunday. That has to do with the injury report.
On Friday, the Patriots ruled seven players – including three offensive linemen and two wide receivers – out for Sunday’s game. 10 more players are questionable.
Simply put, the Patriots may not have the numbers to elevate Cunningham. If questionable players at positions with thin depth (ex. offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback) can’t go and are ruled out between now and 4 p.m. ET on Saturday (the deadline to elevate practice squad players for a game), the Patriots may need to use those spots elsewhere on the roster. Each team can only elevate up to two practice squad players for each game.
If the Patriots can get Cunningham on the active roster, he’ll add another dynamic ballcarrier to an offense that is lacking in that regard. Will they be able to make it work? That’ll be something to watch for on Saturday.
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There have been two phrases heard often at Gillette Stadium this week since the team’s 34-0 defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Saints last week – ‘starting over’ and ‘having fun.’
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‘Starting over’ started last Sunday, when Bill Belichick used that phrase multiple times during his postgame press conference. As the week has gone on, it’s become clear that ‘starting over’ is about getting back to the basics.
“Fundamentals, things that will help us play better,” Belichick said on Wednesday, when asked what the process of ‘starting over’ focused on this week.
Quarterback Mac Jones struck a similar tone. “The fundamentals are really important to me,” he replied when asked what ‘starting over’ means to him. “The footwork, I know we’ve talked a lot about. Footwork, where are my eyes? All that stuff.”
As for having fun? That seems to be a message preached by the coaching staff this week, based on the way players brought it up unprompted.
“Having fun – that’s what I think of, when I’m at my best I’m having fun, enjoying everybody,” Jones included in his answer about focuses of ‘starting over.’ “We’re out there playing a game that we love. Right now, it’s not looking too good, but we’ve got to flip the switch, right? And start over and figure out ways to go out there and have fun, sling the ball around and guys go make plays and then celebrate with each other, too. We work so hard. It’s been such a theme that we haven’t really scored a lot of points but when we do, we’ve got to go out there and celebrate and enjoy it.”
Center and team captain David Andrews echoed that sentiment. “I think if you want to get the best out of it you’ve got to be demanding – celebrate little victories, I think that’s an important thing too,” Andrews said on Wednesday. “When we do something right, like a good block – these dudes are getting paid and they’re really good players. You can be excited about it.”
“There’s an old adage, ‘it’s never as good as it seems, it’s never as bad as it seems,'” Andrews continued. “So when you go in and watch the film – there was a lot of bad, and there’s not a lot of good enough when you’re not scoring any points, but you’ve got to take the good and try to build on it.”
The same is true on the defensive side of the ball. Asked about ‘having fun’ on Thursday, defensive lineman Lawrence Guy relayed it’s not a new message, but one that has come into focus this week.
“Now it’s being said because everyone is looking at it like, ‘you guys must be upset’ or like, doubting yourselves.’ No, we’re still going out there to have fun,” he explained. “I’m out here to have fun. We’re blessed to play this game. We used to call it a kids game with a little bit more violence – big kids game at this level. But we’re blessed to be able to go out here and play this game. So take that opportunity that – there’s so many people out there who want that opportunity.”
It’s clear what the Patriots’ mentality is as they try to bounce back this week against the Las Vegas Raiders. But how about strategically? Let’s get into it with this week’s What To Watch For…
Alex Barth is a digital content producer and on-air host for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Barth grew up in the Boston area and began covering both the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and Boston Red Sox in 2017 before joining the Hub in 2020. He now covers all things Boston Sports for 985TheSportsHub.com as well as appearing on air. Alex writes about all New England sports, as well as college football. You can follow him across all social media platforms at @RealAlexBarth.