The Baltimore Ravens are signing quarterback Malik Cunningham off the Patriots practice squad and adding him to their active roster, the team announced this week. The Patriots had elevated Cunningham several times and asked him to stay, but Cunningham was allured by the chance to play with Lamar Jackson. Both players were similar stylistic players in Louisville, and Cunningham succeeded Jackson as the quarterback for the Cardinals.
Before the Steelers faced the Patriots, Mike Tomlin gave praise to the new Ravens quarterback and what he could do on the football field.
“Malik Cunningham potentially is very different,” Tomlin said of his mobility. “The quarterback mobility component, particularly in a short week is something to be focused on and to make sure that we’re solid thankfully, we play enough quarterback mobility, that we’re not starting at ground zero. And hopefully our cumulative history against quarterback mobility will allow us to make some quick decisions and so forth because when you’re working on a short week, there’s a limited amount of physical reps that you get. And so, when you’re looking at something, potentially like wildcat or quarterback mobility or designed quarterback runs, period, they have your attention.”
Cunningham comes in as a complete unknown but fits well with what the Ravens like to do offensively. He can learn under both Jackson and Snoop Huntley as he rounds out his game. The Patriots were using Cunningham not only as a quarterback but as a wide receiver, too, but it seems that Baltimore wants him jut as a quarterback.