Here’s another headline to file under the what are the New England Patriots thinking category.
Rookie backup quarterback Malik Cunningham, who has emerged as a fan-favorite this season, reportedly told the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed that he hasn’t taken a rep under center since before the Patriots’ Week 6 meeting with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Cunningham was promoted to the active roster before that game and positioned as the No. 2 quarterback behind Mac Jones. Outside of that opportunity, things have been relatively quiet with him behind the scenes, while the quarterback situation in New England has remained a public mess.
It was clear before the start of the season that the Patriots would be working Cunningham out at both quarterback and wide receiver. But they appear to be prioritizing him as a skilled position player over a signal-caller.
Just talked to Patriots rookie Malik Cunningham. He said he hasn't practiced at quarterback since before the Raiders game, but the team has told him to stay prepared anyway.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) November 24, 2023
The team telling Cunningham to be prepared is interesting considering he’d actually need reps under center to be ready at some point. This entire ordeal is just one of many head-scratching game plan approaches from the Bill Belichick-led Patriots.