Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Malik Cunningham (16) runs with the ball against the Houston Texans during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens convert Malik Cunningham from QB to WR

Career quarterback Malik Cunningham’s future with the Baltimore Ravens is at wide receiver, as the team made it official during OTAs the past week.

The Ravens had claimed Cunningham, then a rookie, off the New England Patriots’ practice squad in December 2023. The intention was that he would develop into a backup at QB for fellow Louisville product Lamar Jackson, now a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player award winner.

Cunningham, 25, had played six snaps at QB in one game for New England, which had moved the former undrafted free agent between the practice squad and active roster while trying to settle its quarterback situation.

He took four snaps in one game for Baltimore last season and has yet to throw a pass.

Baltimore’s QB room includes Jackson, 38-year-old journeyman Josh Johnson, sixth-round draft pick Devin Leary and undrafted free agent Emory Jones.

The Ravens’ receiving corps includes veterans Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor as well as fourth-round pick Devontez Walker.

In five seasons at Louisville from 2018-22, Cunningham threw for 9,664 yards and 70 touchdowns and ran for 3,182 yards and 50 touchdowns. He and Jackson share the school record for most rushing scores.

–Field Level Media

Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Malik Cunningham (16) during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots bring back QB Malik Cunningham, promote WR Jalen Reagor

The New England Patriots signed quarterback Malik Cunningham back to their practice squad Thursday while signing wide receiver Jalen Reagor from the practice squad onto the 53-man roster.

Cunningham, who joined New England as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville, was signed to a three-year deal before the Patriots’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders two weeks ago. But the team released him on Tuesday, and he cleared waivers.

Cunningham, 25, played six snaps against the Raiders, four at wide receiver and two at quarterback. He took one sack in the 21-17 loss. He was a healthy scratch for this past Sunday’s 29-25 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Reagor, 24, has appeared in the past two games for the Patriots, catching one pass for 11 yards against Buffalo.

Reagor was a first-round draft pick (No. 21 overall) in 2020 by the Philadelphia Eagles and spent two seasons as a starter for them. He appeared in all 17 games for the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 and has 73 career receptions for 810 yards and four touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Aug 25, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Malik Cunningham (16) runs for a short gain during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Pats sign QB Malik Cunningham to 3-year deal

The New England Patriots signed quarterback Malik Cunningham to a three-year deal, NFL Network reported Saturday.

The team announced he had been elevated to the 53-man roster for Sunday’s game but did not announce the signing.

Cunningham, a dual-threat quarterback, signed with the Patriots as a rookie free agent in May, then was released on Aug. 9 and signed to the practice squad the following day.

“He’s a smart kid, works hard and, the opportunities he’s had, he’s shown a lot of improvement,” head coach Bill Belichick said this week.

In parts of five seasons at Louisville, the undrafted Cunningham, 25, threw for 9,664 yards and 70 touchdowns and ran for 3,182 yards and 50 touchdowns.

The Patriots also activated wide receiver Tyquan Thornton and placed linebacker Matthew Judon (elbow) and offensive lineman Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (knee) on injured reserve.

Defensive lineman Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and wide receiver Jalen Reagor were elevated from the practice squad to the active roster.

–Field Level Media

Louisville's Malik Cunningham runs for a touchdown against Kentucky.Nov. 26, 2022

Kentuckylouisville 12

Louisville QB Malik Cunningham declares for draft

Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on Friday and opted out of the Fenway Bowl.

“Thanks to the coaching staff for pushing me on and off the field to be the best I could be,” Cunningham wrote in a social media post. “To my brothers, thank you for relationships that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

“With that being said after many conversations with God and my family, I will be declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft. I will be opting out of the bowl game and starting my pre-draft training.”

Cunningham, in his fourth full season at Louisville, played in 10 games in 2022 and completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 1,568 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions, adding 560 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. His best season came in 2021, when he threw for 2,941 yards, 19 touchdowns and six picks while adding 1,031 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground.

Cunningham set a Louisville record for career touchdowns responsible for (120) and tied the ACC record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (50). His 3,184 career rushing yards was second in Cardinals history only to Lamar Jackson.

Louisville (7-5) will face Cincinnati (9-3) on Dec. 17 in the Fenway Bowl in Boston.

–Field Level Media