New NFL Rules: Patriots Rookies Chad Ryland, Malik Cunningham Affected?

New rules regarding quarterback roster spots and kickoffs could affect New England Patriots rookies Chad Ryland and Malik Cunningham.

Neither the NFL Draft nor Super Bowl are headed in the proximity of the New England Patriots any time soon. The much-anticipated Pats "Tom Brady Day" opener against the Philadelphia Eagles could start with a fair-catch "touchback" on the kickoff. And, after an interesting couple days at the league's owners meetings in Minneapolis, a rookie dual-threat quarterback could be coming ... and a late-season Thursday Night Football game could be going.

Among this week's biggest headlines:

*Any fair catch made before the return team’s 25-yard line on a kickoff will now result in the ball being placed on the 25-yard line.

*The 2025 draft will take place in Green Bay.

*Super Bowl LX will be held in Santa Clara in 2026.

While those sweeping implementations should affect all teams equally, two more could have more significance to New England.

Owners agreed that the late-season Thursday Night Football schedule could be "flexed." That means the Pats' Week 14 (Dec. 7) game at the Pittsburgh Steelers could be move to the weekend if networks deem another game more worthy of prime time.

New England's Week 15 game with the Miami Dolphins was flexed from Sunday night last season.

The "Brock Purdy Rule" is also now in effect, and it could possibly mean a role for undrafted rookie free agent Malik Cunningham's unique skill set showing up on the field. The new rule will allow teams to dress a third quarterback for games, without having to use a roster spot on that player.

The league allowed teams to dress a third "emergency QB" beginning in 1991 but got rid of the rule in 2010. The 2022 NFC Championship Game put the rule back in the spotlight, however, as starter Brock Purdy and backup Josh Johnson both suffered injuries that forced the San Francisco 49ers to essentially abandon their passing game with an injured Purdy under center in an eventual loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

While the third-QB rule should prevent a similar scenario, it comes with two important stipulations. First, the QB must be on the team's 53-man roster, which means a club can't designate a practice squad player as its emergency quarterback. Second (and more notable), the emergency QB can only enter the game if the other two quarterbacks are both injured or ejected.

That's an important caveat that prevents the Patriots and other teams from exploiting a potential loophole.

Cunningham's dual-threat skill-set makes him an intriguing option for Bill Belichick and new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. But Cunningham could only enter a game for the Patriots if both Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe get injured or ejected, or he's bumped up to No. 2 on the depth chart.

The Patriots will also enter training camp with veteran Trace McSorley on the roster.

---

Follow Richie Whitt on Twitter

Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.