Mac Jones forces New England quarterback U-turn just weeks after new deal

25 October 2023 , 16:38

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Quarterback Malik Cunningham has been released by the Patriots

After Mac Jones' stellar performance in the New England Patriots win over the Buffalo Bills, the team made a surprising decision to move on from one of his back-ups.

Jones began the season struggling to recreate the form that he showed in his rookie season, continuing from his second-year woes which saw him almost lose his place to backup Bailey Zappe.

Surprisingly, Zappe did not do enough to earn a spot as Jones' backup to begin the season, with the team then signing undrafted free agent Malik Cunningham - who had impressed in the preseason - before extending him to a three-year contract.

But less than two weeks after that signing, the Patriots have now released Cunningham in what could be a showing of faith in their starter.

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While being a quarterback by position, Cunningham was seen by the Patriots offensive coaches as a do-it-all offensive weapon, also able to play at wide receiver.

After impressing in preseason, Cunningham initially earned a spot on the practice squad before signing a three-year deal on the roster, where he had been elevated to Jones' backup.

And while Cunningham did take snaps at both quarterback and wide receiver in the Patriots' loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, he has now been released.

The 25-year-old is likely to be re-signed to the Patriots practice squad, with fans scratching their heads about why they gave him a three-year deal to release him just days later.

Mac Jones had his best performance last weekend

Some have surmised that Jones' improvement might be the case, with many ready to see the Patriots bench him after his slow start to the year.

But Jones bounced back with one of the best performances of his career on Sunday, throwing for 272 yards and two touchdowns against one of the league's better defensive teams in the Bills.

The Patriots looked like they were going to throw away a well-deserved lead in the fourth quarter when Josh Allen found Stefon Diggs who was able to break two tackles and score with less than five minutes to go.

However, Jones remained poised in the pocket and found Rhamondre Stevenson for a big gain, before throws to Kendrick Bourne and Demario Douglas moved them closer to the end zone with less than 15 seconds to go. And on second-and-goal, Jones trusted his tight end Mike Gesicki to get open on a seam route and beat his man to for the winning score.

The win was a much-needed one for the Patriots, who now sit at 2-5 and hope to claw their way back to .500.

Jones might be fighting for his future with the team this season, as New England is likely to have a high draft pick in a class featuring a number of quarterbacks expected to be selected in the first round.

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