Patriots considered activation of Malik Cunningham signals potential QB shuffle ahead of Chargers clash

Starting in 2000, the New England Patriots enjoyed a golden dynasty that came to an end after the 2020 NFL season. With the departure of NFL GOAT Tom Brady, the team has fallen to the bottom of the league. As things continue to worsen, head coach Bill Belichick may soon be let off from the franchise.

With a disappointing nine losses and mere two wins, the Pats are sitting at the bottom spot in the AFC East. Though Belichick openly dismissed the sacking rumor, he had been trying hard to change the offensive scenario for the team. Keeping that move in mind, the team decided to activate Malik Cunningham in the upcoming match.

Malik Cunningham earns elevation as Patriots’ quarterback questions linger

Bill Belichick and the Patriots have been keeping suspense about the quarterback room for the past several weeks. With no official announcement yet, the team continues to keep the quarterback room shrouded in uncertainty ahead of the match against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Meanwhile, the franchise made a significant move on Saturday by elevating Cunningham from the practice squad. Having previously made his NFL debut in Week 6 after signing to the 53-man roster, this marks the young star’s first standard elevation out of three this season.

The rookie star had a limited outing earlier this year, seeing action in just six snaps during the team’s match against the Las Vegas Raiders. Bailey Zappe handled the majority of the first-team reps during practice, while Malik split the remaining reps with the Patriots earlier starter, Mac Jones.

Malik earlier said he would be able to play for both the quarterback and wide receiver positions. During Tuesday’s video conference, Bill O’Brien, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, acknowledged Cunningham’s evolving role while talking about the complexities of learning both QB and WR positions. Despite the challenges, the OC lauded him for his commendable efforts in juggling these dual responsibilities.

“He gets some reps at quarterback on the scout team and things like that, but he’s played mostly at receiver and he’s got a lot better as a receiver. I do think it’s hard to learn both those positions — it’s not like learning right tackle and left guard. When you’re learning quarterback and wide receiver, it’s different. But I think he’s done a really admirable job in trying to do both”, he said via Pats Pulpit.

Meanwhile, the Patriots’ QB situation has become even more intriguing due to the roster constraints, with only Zappe and Jones on the active roster. This configuration limits the team’s flexibility, particularly by ruling out the possibility of designating Jones as the emergency signal-caller.

Ex-Chargers star comically mocks Patriots offense

The New England Patriots’ struggles on offense have become a running joke, and even former Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman couldn’t resist taking a jab. Merriman’s quip, “Yall haven’t scored 42 points since Paul Revere said the red coats are coming,” perfectly sums up the Patriots’ offensive woes, which have drawn scrutiny towards Bill Belichick’s strategic decisions.

The Patriots have encountered a challenging period in the post-Tom Brady era, grappling with a lack of offensive firepower that has hindered their ability to compete at a high level. Their inability to breach the 30-point mark in a game this season underscores the prevailing concerns regarding their offensive side, which once accumulated six Super Bowls.

Only in Week 7, the Pats achieved their highest offensive output, registering 29 points in a narrow victory against the Buffalo Bills. However, this performance remains an outlier in an otherwise underwhelming offensive campaign.

The struggle exposed the lack of elite talent and depth required for a top-tier NFL attack, leading to comparisons between the weapons on the current roster and those found in high school football. With an average of just 13.5 points per game, the Patriots are among the lowest scoring teams—only the New York Giants are worse. They have combined to score just two touchdowns in their last two games.

Merriman’s jest highlights the Patriots’ offensive shortcomings and the frustration they have caused among fans and analysts alike. While the Patriots have a rich history of success, their current offensive struggles are undeniable, and they will need to find a solution if they want to return to contention.

While Belichick’s defensive prowess has historically been a cornerstone of the team’s success, recent seasons have witnessed a decline. It becomes more pronounced by getting mixed with an offense that employs conservative strategies, favoring a run-heavy approach that has fallen out of favor in today’s NFL scenario.

What’s your take on the Pats’ offense?