Malik Cunningham, an undrafted quarterback, scored the only touchdown for the New England Patriots in their 9-20 NFL preseason loss to the Houston Texans on Thursday night at Gilette Stadium, outshining Bailey Zappe and making a case to start over Mac Jones.
Cunningham, 24, also played wide receiver in the first half despite notching zero targets and went under center in the fourth quarter after the team’s other quarterbacks failed to produce any touchdowns.
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Patriots kicker Nick Folk hit a 44-yard field goal in the first quarter and New England did not score again until late in the final frame when Cunningham rushed into the end zone.
Cunningham shook a defender “out of his cleats” and embraced the contact from another to score the TD.
He also pulled off an incredible pass into the end zone before the score, but the receiver, unfortunately, did not make the catch.
Malik Cunningham could start over Mac Jones
Cunningham finished the contest with 19 yards on 3-for-4 completed passes and 34 rushing yards on five carries, including the touchdown.
Jones, 24, is expected to start at QB this season, especially after not participating in the loss to Houston. Zappe tallied 79 passing yeards on 12-for-14 completions, but did not account for any points.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, however, will not hesitate to start Cunningham over Jones if he feels like it’s the right decision.
Cunningham definitely has a chip on his shoulder due to all NFL teams overlooking him and essentially drafting 259 players who they believe are more valuable.
Who is Malik Cunningham?
Patriots signed Cunningham as an undrafted free agent after he did not get picked in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Cunningham was, however, a third-round selection in the 2023 USFL Draft by the Birmingham Stallions.
He chose not to play in the USFL and committed to the NFL Draft, instead. Cunningham is now stealing the show on the field and could have an incredible story ahead of him.
Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, meanwhile, suffered his “welcome to the NFL” moment on the opening drive of the preseason game.
