Former Patriots QB impressing Ravens insider at new position

Former quarterback Malik Cunningham is transitioning to a new position with the Baltimore Ravens and so far, the results have been impressing team insider Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.

"With how noncommittal Ravens officials were for much of the offseason about the former quarterback’s role, it was unclear whether he’d even get the opportunity to compete for a roster spot. Cunningham still faces an uphill battle, but he hasn’t looked out of place as he’s transitioned to wide receiver," Zrebiec wrote. "He made a few plays in just about every practice, and he’s shown good awareness and quickness. The amount of one-on-one attention he’s gotten from (head coach John) Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken indicates that they see potential in Cunningham at his new position."

The 25-year-old played five seasons under center at Louisville, having his best year in 2021 when he led the ACC in rushing touchdowns and touchdowns from scrimmage with 20, all of which came on the ground (he also threw for 19 TDs that season and had one catch for nine yards).

Cunningham had a historic performance on Nov. 18, 2021, in a 62-22 defeat of Duke, when he became just the second player in FBS history to pass for at least 300 yards and rush for at least 200 more in the same game, also passing for five scores and running in a pair in the blowout. Cunningham ended the masterpiece going 18-for-25 for 303 passing yards and had 11 carries for 224 yards, finishing just two yards away from matching now-teammate Lamar Jackson's Louisville single-game rushing record of 226 yards, which the two-time MVP set in 2015.

He went undrafted in 2023 and signed with the New England Patriots before being waived, re-signed and spending time between the practice squad and active roster last fall. Cunningham was picked up off the Patriots practice squad in December by the Ravens and ended up playing just 10 offensive snaps last season between the two teams, making no passing or rushing attempts.

He'll have plenty of competition in the Baltimore wideouts' room, including projected starters Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor.