The Ravens are signing Patriots practice-squad quarterback Malik Cunningham to their lively roster Tuesday, in response to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cunningham, an undrafted rookie who performed in a single sport this season, launched a press release to ESPN.
“I wanted to thank Mr. Kraft and coach Belichick for giving me (an) opportunity to play with the Patriots. I learned a lot from them,” the assertion learn. “I want to be a coach one day, so I would take notes from coach Belichick because he’s one of the greatest of all time. I had great teammates in New England and built relationships that will last a lifetime. But I just feel like this is a good opportunity for me and I’m excited to be a Baltimore Raven.”
In New England, Cunningham break up his time between quarterback and receiver and spent most of his tenure on the observe squad. The Patriots elevated Cunningham off the observe squad for his or her final two video games, however didn’t discipline him for a single snap. Earlier this season, the Pats signed the undrafted rookie to their lively roster forward of a Week 6 sport at Las Vegas, then deployed him for six snaps and waived him days later.
After the Patriots’ current shutout loss to the Chargers on Dec. 3, Cunningham confirmed to the Herald the teaching workers had put in a bundle for him in observe earlier than elevating him. Instead, backup Bailey Zappe took the entire quarterback reps in that 6-0 loss, and Cunningham remained sidelined, even because the workforce performed with out main receiver Demario Douglas.
In Baltimore, Cunningham will reunite with Ravens starter and ex-college teammate Lamar Jackson. Cunningham and Jackson performed collectively at Louisville for one season in 2017. Later, Cunningham grew to become a three-year starter for the Cardinals, however was not thought-about a official quarterback prospect popping out of the draft.
Shortly after final April’s draft, Cunningham signed a contract with the Patriots that included probably the most assured cash the franchise had ever given to an undrafted rookie. The workforce deliberate to play him at receiver, after offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien labored out Cunningham at Louisville. In the preseason, Cunningham performed 96 snaps — 72 at receiver, 22 at quarterback and two extra on particular groups — earlier than receiving his launch on the finish of coaching camp.
The Patriots’ solely remaining quarterbacks are Zappe, Mac Jones and Will Grier, who stays on the observe squad and hasn’t taken a snap this yr. The Pats have three spots open on their observe squad.
Source: www.bostonherald.com