Andrew Buller-Russ
After a 1-4 start, which includes the two worst losses of future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots career, the organization could be on the verge of making massive changes.
Sure, Belichick may or may not be on the hot seat, but others wonder if Mac Jones is the problem at QB. Either way, with a scoring offense that ranks dead last in the NFL, the Patriots need to figure it out. Quickly.
Even though he’s been benched in each of the past two blowout losses and has thrown three pick-sixes already this season, the Patriots are sticking by their former first-round QB for now.
Yet, that doesn’t mean his status as the starter is entrenched in stone.
We’ve seen backup Bailey Zappe replace Jones when the game gets out of hand, but the Patriots also possess another potentially secret weapon in undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham. The former Louisville star has completely bought into the Patriot way, learning how to play multiple positions, including wide receiver, and even spending time on special teams. But he’s a QB at heart.
The dual-threat option has received some snaps at QB in practice, and according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, he’s had a much bigger part in the game plan for Sunday’s battle with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Yet, there’s been no indication of whether that involves taking snaps under center or just filling multiple roles, showing his versatility. With seven players already ruled out due to injury and ten more being listed as questionable, it’s possible the Patriots are just preparing for the worst, trying to get Cunningham up to speed in several different areas.
Either way, we should have a better idea of the team’s plans with Cunningham at some point on Saturday. For now, he’s on the team’s practice squad. In order to play versus the Raiders, the Patriots would have to add Cunningham to the active roster by gameday.
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