Patriots Make Major Roster Move at QB Ahead of Raiders Game
The reports of Mac Jones' days being numbered are starting to carry some extra weight. The Patriots made a flurry of roster moves on Saturday, and the biggest one by far was a huge move at the quarterback position.
Other Patriots roster moves:
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 14, 2023
🏈WR Tyquan Thornton has been added to the 53-man roster from IR.
🏈 WR/QB Malik Cunningham signs 3-year contract to active roster.
🏈OLB Matthew Judon and OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. have been placed on injured reserve. https://t.co/XBtsi76vFj
Patriots News: Malik Cunningham Signing Among Week 6 Roster Moves
Malik Cunningham has not just been elevated from the practice squad — he's been signed to the active 53-man roster on a 3-year contract. That's not a move you make when you're not serious about the guy's potential.
The writing is on the wall for Mac at this point.
There's already buzz that Will Griet could take over the starting job as early as Week 7. Bailey Zappe is of course always in the conversation to replace Jones again. And now Cunningham is not only on the active roster, but he's on the roster with a long-term contract too.
The hype on Cunningham has been relatively quiet since his preseason explosion, but Patriots fans have been eager to see him in action, especially because this offense needs something, anything, to give it a spark.
But Bill Belichick forecasted this move a bit with some praise for Cunningham on Friday.
Of Malik Cunningham, Belichick said Friday, "Yeah, 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… https://t.co/cz98JT1i5R
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) October 14, 2023
It doesn't necessarily sound like he's sold on Cunningham as a full-time quarterback yet, but the versatility he offers is something Bill always covets.
Whether it ends up being as a quarterback, wide receiver or special teamer (or more likely, a combination of the three), a three-year contract is a clear message that Bill plans on having Cunningham involved soon, and keeping him involved in the future as well.
Don't expect him to suddenly unseat Mac Jones on Sunday, but if this offense continues to struggle then it's hard to imagine that Pats fans don't finally get a glimpse at what the offense could look like with Cunningham at the helm.
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