Patriots should give keys to offense to newly signed rookie quarterback

Cunningham had a promising preseason, which included a nine-yard touchdown run against the Texans. His dual-threat capabilities would give the Patriots a dimension they are sorely lacking. The offensive line is a mess, so turning toward a mobile quarterback (even if he is a rookie) could help.

The move might not happen until later in the season, but that's only because the Patriots appear to have a design for Cunningham similar to how the Saints use Taysom Hill.

On Friday, Belichick hinted at Cunningham moving to the active roster, telling reporters, "Malik has really worked hard and made a lot of improvement. He never really played in the kicking game at Louisville. So he's started to show up there."

Belichick continued, adding that Cunningham "never played receiver and that didn't look very good either in the spring, but he's really improved there."

It makes sense for the Patriots to slowly add to Cunningham's plate as he gets comfortable in the NFL. They need to be cautious about injury, however. Jones and backup Bailey Zappe aren't moving the needle, so New England should take an extended look at the offense with Cunningham at quarterback at some point this season.

He appeared in 56 games at Louisville from 2018-22. Cunningham's best season came in 2021 when he had 2,941 passing yards and 19 touchdowns, adding 1,034 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. 

Cunningham might be better in a jack-of-all-trades role in the NFL than as a quarterback, but the Patriots will only learn what they have in their exciting rookie by giving him the keys to the offense.