The Baltimore Ravens expanded their quarterback room by signing rookie Malik Cunningham from the New England Patriots practice squad, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, on Tuesday.
Cunningham's journey to Baltimore has been bizarre, to say the least, starting with his playing days at Louisville while red-shirting under starting QB Lamar Jackson in 2017, then going undrafted to New England, and ultimately joining the Ravens to become the fourth quarterback in Baltimore's roster.
A Louisville reunion in Baltimore: the Ravens are signing QB Malik Cunningham off the Patriots’ practice squad and on to their roster, Cunningham told ESPN today. Cunningham now will finish the season in Baltimore and go to the playoffs.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 12, 2023
Cunningham and Lamar Jackson were… pic.twitter.com/9Tj3IezKr6
Out of context, the signing of Malik Cunningham doesn't make much sense because the Ravens already have a couple of backup quarterbacks in Tyler Huntley and veteran Josh Johnson. All things considered, however, the signing of Cunningham could turn into the last genius move by GM Eric DeCosta.
Not only does this signing strengthen the Ravens' quarterback depth but it also reunites Cunningham with his former Louisville teammate, Lamar Jackson, which will probably please both young men.
During his redshirt year in 2017, Cunningham was part of the Louisville Cardinals team alongside Jackson, who is now the clear-cut starting quarterback for the Ravens. Cunningham took over the Cardinals' pocket following that year and Lamar's move to the NFL and completed a college career in which he amassed 9,664 passing yards and 70 touchdowns with the Cardinals.
Ravens adding Malik Cunningham with sights on the future of the QB room
According to multiple reporters, including Schefter, Cunningham's arrival in Baltimore should be seen as more of a strategic move looking at the future of the franchise and the quarterback.
It's worth noting that Tyler Huntley's contract will expire after this season making him an unrestricted free agent next spring. Cunningham will have a month to train with the Ravens, learn (again) from Lamar, and convince Baltimore about signing him to a full-time deal entering 2024 as Jackson's main backup going forward.
The four-man quarterback room of Jackson, Huntley, Cunningham, and Johnson will stay put for the remainder of the season, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.
Both Huntley and Johnson are expected to retain their QB2 and QB3 roles for the time being, although that might change depending on how the rest of the regular season and the postseason progresses.
No matter what happens this year, signing Cunningham basically for free after the Patriots handed him a three-year deal a few weeks ago seemingly trusting him for their future is definitely a coup and a steal by the Flock.
Here's to hoping Cunningham can turn into a bonafide quarterback capable of stepping up when/if needed in Baltimore!