There’s never a dull day with this New England Patriots team, even after getting upset by Tommy DeVito and the New York Giants in Week 12.
It seems like the results from that game might impact the quarterback situation heading into the Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
During the portion of Wednesday’s practice that was open to the media, Bailey Zappe was on the field taking the first reps at quarterback with rookie fan-favorite Malik Cunningham backing him up. Meanwhile, Mac Jones stood behind them.
Keep in mind, that doesn’t confirm that Zappe and Cunningham are the top-two options at quarterback this week. Coach Bill Belichick could switch things up again at Thursday’s practice. But then again, this was how things looked with Jones and Zappe last week, before the two split reps under center against the Giants.
Malik Cunningham looked like the No. 2 quarterback in the media-availability portion of practice today, filling in behind Bailey Zappe as Mac Jones watched. pic.twitter.com/X5IQtqVmP4
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) November 29, 2023
Fans have been calling for Cunningham to get an opportunity since the preseason, but the Patriots have worked him out predominantly as a receiver in recent weeks.
Cunningham mentioned last week that he hadn’t taken a quarterback rep since Week 6, when he was elevated to the main roster as the No. 2 option behind Jones against the Las Vegas Raiders.
That’s a long time to be away from a position to suddenly be thrown right back into the fire in Week 13. Yet, Cunningham’s ability to scramble around and make plays is an element to his game no other quarterback currently possesses on the Patriots’ roster.
It’s long overdue to see what he’s capable of in a game situation.
