Could New England Patriots Lose Malik Cunningham to Joe Burrow-Less Cincinnati Bengals?

Malik Cunningham is one of the most intriguing subplots of the New England Patriots' woebegone season, but it could be over before it begins.

The Cincinnati Bengals could be on the prowl for passing talent after losing Joe Burrow for the season. That search could take away one of the few interesting parts of the New England Patriots' woebegone season.

With Burrow out after sustaining a wrist injury in a Thursday loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Bengals (5-5) are set to turn to little-used Jake Browning and former college superstar AJ McCarron as they try to salvage their season. The aerial talent pool away from Cincinnati is rather limited, as evidenced by a list of potential Burrow substitutes curated by Matt Lombardo of Fan Buzz. One, however, is of particular interest ... and consternation ... from those seeking any reasons to tune into the Patriots (2-8) for the rest of the year.

"Malik Cunningham might be the Bengals' option with the most upside," Lombardo notes, suggesting the undrafted rookie thrower in the New England system. "Cunningham offers tantalizing athleticism as a dual-threat quarterback capable of opening up opportunities for running back Joe Mixon in the running game, if he can harness his arm strength to get the football to the likes of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in the vertical passing game."

"Cunningham needs a lot of improvement as a passer. Still, after finishing as the No. 3 most athletic quarterback at the 2023 Combine, Cunningham could be a fascinating option to add a new wrinkle to Cincinnati's offense."

Malik Cunningham (16) breaks loose during a preseason game vs Houston / USA TODAY SPORTS

A combination of the Patriots' dwindling faith in top men Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe and general hopelessness around the ongoing season has led to a demand for Cunningham snaps with nothing else to lose. However, he remains stationed on the New England practice squad behind Jones, Zappe, and Will Grier on the active roster. That leaves him open to being signed to the active roster of any other NFL team if such an opportunity came knocking.

Cunningham is a bit of a cult hero among New England fans, who have been intrigued by his dual-threat tendencies ever since he came to Foxborough as the highest-paid undrafted rookie in franchise history. 

The Louisville alum offered a tantalizing glimpse of what he could offer in an otherwise listless preseason showing against Houston over the summer: as the last of three quarterbacks to partake, Cunningham was responsible for the only New England touchdown in a 20-9 loss, a nine-yard run in the penultimate minute. His five carries totaled 34 yards and he completed 3-of-4 for 19. He has primarily been stationed on the practice squad ever since but briefly appeared in the Week 6 loss in Las Vegas.

Fortunately for Patriots fans eager for any form of excitement over these final hours, the Bengals likely don't come off as quite that desperate, at least not yet. 

While repeating as AFC North champion is likely out of the question, Cincinnati is well-stocked with veteran talent and still stationed in the thick of the Wild Card hunt, hinting that they won't exactly be eager to turn primary offensive duties to an undrafted rookie. To his credit, Browning posted passable numbers (8-of-14, 68 yards, and a touchdown) after taking over for Burrow in Thursday's loss in Baltimore. McCarron, 33, has not only served as a Cincinnati backup in the past but is also fresh off a sterling campaign in the XFL, leading the rebooted spring league in passing touchdowns, passer rating, and completion percentage.

Malik: 'Poise' & Pizzazz in Patriots Preseason Opener

Both sides have some time to figure out their respective passing situations, each returning to action on Nov. 26. The Bengals open the post-Burrow era with a divisional clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers while the Patriots have an interconference duel against the equally wayward New York Giants following their bye week.

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