As soon as the 2023 NFL draft came to an end, undrafted free agent Malik Cunningham secured a job. On Saturday, he posted pictures of him holding a New England Patriots jersey and as expected, fans went absolutely crazy. The new Pats quarterback is moreover being contrasted with QB Lamar Jackson, who is now the highest-paid athlete in the NFL.
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Cunningham was compared to Jackson right from the time he set foot on the campus of Louisville. There are a lot of similarities between the Baltimore Ravens’ QB and the new Patriots quarterback.
QB Malik Cunningham, with a shirt in hand, celebrates being signed by the #Patriots:
(IG: 8toohard) pic.twitter.com/QlJRQgshU6
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) April 30, 2023
Can Malik Cunningham achieve Lamar Jackson-like success?
Given the athleticism and quickness with which both Lamar and Malik can leave the pocket, it is difficult to ignore the similarities. Additionally, Cunningham tied Jackson’s record for career TDs.
Cunningham threw three touchdown passes, bringing his total career touchdown passes to 70. He has been responsible for a total of 119 touchdowns throughout his career, which includes both rushing and passing. This is the same number of touchdowns that Jackson, the only Heisman Trophy winner for the Cardinals, achieved during his own career.
Patriots were quick, and the first to strike into the UDFA pool, signing Louisville QB Malik Cunnigham.
Had a good arm along with fantastic athleticism and speed. Has hailed comparisons to the league’s NOW highest paid player, former Louisville QB Lamar Jackson 👀 pic.twitter.com/xes9kVoCGv
— Dom (@ThatDudeD0M) April 30, 2023
Our next Edelman https://t.co/5hJyCXajMg
— K.Roman (@TheEmpire0654) April 30, 2023
If they can fix his passing he will be a good player if they don’t, turn him into a receiver
— . (@GonzoSZN_) April 30, 2023
Once, the young gun was asked if he ever got tired of the Lamar Jackson comparison. He gave an honest answer and said as per 247 Sports, “I do get tired of it a little bit, but who wouldn’t want to be compared to Lamar? I mean, the great Lamar, in my opinion, the best college football player to ever play the sport. Just a role model to me, a big brother, and I’m thankful for a lot of the stuff that he does for me.”
Even though the Louisville star wants to carve out a niche for himself, he could not disagree that being compared to Jackson was an honor in itself.
Malik Cunningham contract details
Even though Cunningham didn’t hear his name called during the 2023 NFL Draft, he received a more lucrative contract than many other players. The Patriots signed the former Louisville quarterback after the draft was concluded on Saturday evening. His UDFA deal included a $30,000 signing bonus and a whopping $200,000 in total guarantees, as per Doug Kyed of A to Z Sports and NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.
Louisville QB Malik Cunningham is signing a contract with $200k in total guarantees and a $30k signing bonus with the #Patriots. Hefty in guarantees.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) April 29, 2023
Although after looking at the deals NFL quarterbacks generally get these days, Malik’s deal doesn’t look that attractive, he is actually set to take home a lot of green for an undrafted rookie. They generally receive less than $100,000 guaranteed at signing. It is the highest amount of guaranteed money for a Patriots UDFA. The money does not guarantee him a spot on Pat’s 53-man roster. However, it does allow him to enter spring practice as the fourth-string QB behind Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, and Trace McSorley.
