Getty Image / Scott Taetsch
Malik Cunningham made his preseason debut for the New England Patriots a couple of days ago.
Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson revealed he has hopes that Cunningham will be a starting QB.
Since early last season, the New England Patriots have had an unexpected quarterback controversy to deal with.
Bailey Zappe proved to be surprisingly capable when he had to step up as the starter while Mac Jones dealt with an injury.
His performances, coupled with the struggles of Mac Jones in a disappointing offense that was being called by Matt Patricia for some reason, had some fans calling for Zappe to remain the starter.
That didn’t happen and Jones finished the season still in possession of the starting job.
Early in the following offseason, Bill Belichick’s hesitance to publicly commit to Jones led to some speculation that the QB controversy could still be alive.
At this point in the preseason, it’s clear that Jones is the guy for the Pats, but it seems one notable quarterback believes there is another Patriots QB we should be keeping an eye on.
Lamar Jackson responded to a post from rookie QB Malik Cunningham with a comment that said “QB1”.
Lamar Jackson under #Patriots rookie Malik Cunningham’s latest Instagram post 👀
“QB1🤞🏾” pic.twitter.com/fRGRtRL2fF
— Carlos (@NEPatriots6x) August 12, 2023
Cunningham was signed by the Patriots this offseason after he went undrafted and he made his debut for the Pats on Thursday night.
He didn’t get a ton of action in that debut, going 3/4 for 19 yards in his first NFL action.
Still, it seems it didn’t take much for him to convince his fellow Louisville Cardinal that he’ll be a starting QB in the league.
Right now he likely finds himself fighting just to remain on the roster over Trace McSorley, but Lamar Jackson clearly has high hopes for the career of the New England Patriots quarterback.