Out of sight doesn’t mean out of mind when it comes to backup quarterback Malik Cunningham and the New England Patriots fan base.
Another meltdown performance from Mac Jones had coach Bill Belichick turning to backup quarterback Bailey Zappe for a second straight week as the replacement under center.
Buy Patriots TicketsHowever, some Patriots fans would like to see the team take things a step further and play the undrafted rookie out of Louisville.
Cunningham left a strong impression in Week 1 of the preseason with his unique ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. When things broke down around him, Cunningham was able to scramble free and make plays on the run.
Get to know Malik Cunningham ⬇️
📺: #HOUvsNE on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/bBFpXewtKp pic.twitter.com/7TXlyREFdX— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2023
The Patriots cut Cunningham when whittling down their 53-man roster, but they did sign him back to the practice squad. He recently surfaced as one of the practice players of the week.
It’s clear the Patriots don’t have many great quarterback options at the moment between Jones, Zappe and Will Grier. That has prompted some to call for Cunningham to have his shot at playing under center.
Here’s what fans were saying after the Patriots and Saints game:
Malik Cunningham?@Patriots pic.twitter.com/ur61LL1tGI
— david mezzone (@dmez1029) October 9, 2023
Give the ball 🏈 to Malik Cunningham then? Let’s see how his “GUMBO” taste 👅! #patriots https://t.co/FiDLDJMAZk
— Darius Mitchell_ Hip-Hop Republicans 2023🇺🇸 (@LowellCouncilor) October 9, 2023
None of them, give me Malik Cunningham. How much worse could he be
— Paul loves the Patriots (@chiaccio_paul) October 9, 2023
Malik Cunningham…why not?
— DJ (@djnj0919) October 9, 2023
Malik cunningham is the only patriots qb i would sit mac for
— Michael Furjanić (@MRFurjanic) October 8, 2023
Malik Cunningham or we riot! https://t.co/RhJH60P2Wf
— Mike 🥪 (@DaddysHomeFF) October 8, 2023
It may be worth seeing what Bailey Zappe has. Or Malik Cunningham, for that matter.
Even with the worst OL this decade, it really can't get worse than THIS.
Matt Patricia, Joe Judge & last year's Oakland game DESTROYED Mac Jones. He's seeing ghosts now & it's sad to watch.
— Phil R. (@jinzilla20) October 8, 2023
Malik Cunningham to Justin Jefferson will FEED FAMILIES
— 𝔰𝔬𝔲𝔱𝔥𝔰𝔦𝔡𝔢𝔩𝔲𝔨 💔 (@southsideluk) October 8, 2023
Malik Cunningham pls
— David Carpenter (@dlcarpen140) October 8, 2023
With the way the O-Line is…Malik Cunningham
— Steven Auclair (@patsfan1stand10) October 8, 2023
May I offer the Patriots a suggestion?
Malik Cunningham
— Nick Perenick (@nperenick39) October 8, 2023
Malik Cunningham is the only correct answer
— JD McNugent (@JD__McNugent) October 8, 2023
Really isn't his fault. He isn't the guy, but it is a much larger issue
But if it is for Malik Cunningham I will approve
— AWLSabermetrics (@awlsabermetrics) October 8, 2023
Me last week.. Then this week happens to a much worse team..
We want Malik Cunningham. https://t.co/6toZGvuFIQ
— Alvin Richburg – Tech and Sneakers (@GetLikeChip) October 8, 2023
Do they still have Malik Cunningham?
— Drop ya Nuts 🌰 (@USC_Sr) October 8, 2023
We can try Malik Cunningham. Nothing to lose.
— PATriotS99 (@LivLovPats) October 8, 2023
If you are doing what I think you are doing go look at the past 3 months of my tweets begging Belichick and the Patriots to give the reigns of this team to Malik Cunningham.
— Ⓙⓔⓕⓕ Ⓐⓑⓡⓐⓜⓞ 🍊 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 (@JeffAbramo) October 8, 2023
Malik Cunningham. The other 3 are the same guys.
— The Real Bob C (@Bob99019751) October 8, 2023
We want Malik Cunningham
— TatumFlow (@TatumFlow0) October 8, 2023
Bill and the Pats should play Malik Cunningham the rest of the way and one of two things will happen… Malik will be good or they will land themselves Caleb Williams. #NFL
— KP3 (@kingpalm3) October 8, 2023