Patriots QB Is Switching Squad as he finally signed deal with Steelers for a whooping $165 million on a four-year contract
There was once a time when ill-informed hot-take artists tried to say that Lamar Jackson was best suited to play wide receiver in the NFL.
Two MVP awards later, that ship has sailed, but the Baltimore Ravens do actually have a quarterback on their roster who is moving to wide receiver, though fans can rest easy knowing Lamar has proven just enough to hold on to his QB spot.
ProFootballTalk shared on Twitter that the Ravens are now officially listing former New England Patriots QB Malik Cunningham as a wide receiver after signing him off the Patriots’ practice squad this offseason.
Cunningham showed flashes as a quarterback in the preseason last year but only played four snaps during the season finale, which was the entirety of his regular-season action.
The 25-year-old was being evaluated for both positions during the offseason by head coach John Harbaugh, but Baltimore ultimately decided to make the switch during OTAs, where Cunningham received extra reps with wideouts Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor not on the field.
Josh Johnson, Devin Leary, and Emory Jones are the current backups to Lamar on the QB depth chart.
Cunningham was a dual-threat QB at Louisville for five years and posted his best numbers in 2021 when he threw for 2,941 yards and 19 touchdowns with only six interceptions while also running for 1,031 yards and 20 touchdowns.
He is electric with the ball in his hands, but there was never going to be a path for him to see playing time at QB behind a two-time MVP.
At wide receiver, it’s possible he could see some snaps at some point.
While the pare down will likely come at the cost of Zappe, who has proven to be a backup capable of winning a start or two when needed, Mayo was complimentary of the 25-year old.
“I think about Zap as a true professional,” Mayo said. “You know, we drafted two quarterbacks. Obviously, he is going to be competing with those guys, but at the same time, he is an open book. He is a resource. He has started games in this league, and that’s more than the other two quarterbacks can say.”
Despite Zappe’s experience in the league, his role is tough to see with Maye serving as the future, Brissett operating as the hand-picked veteran who can start Week 1, and Milton tagging along as the late-round project. Throughout the rest of OTA’s and training camp, developing those roles should be New England’s priority.
2. Mayo impressed by Maye: It’s been just over one month since the Patriots officially selected Maye in the first-round of the NFL Draft. Since, Mayo has been impressed by his new quarterback.
