![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/new-england-patriots-make-quarterback-decision-after-fascinating-training-camp-battle/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_bill-belichick.jpg&description=The New England Patriots reduced their quarterback ranks by cutting Trace McSorley in a development that keeps rookie Malik Cunningham in position to make the final 53-man roster The New England Patriots released reserve quarterback Trace McSorley on Monday ahead of the NFL deadline to trim their roster to 53 active players. The move leaves the door open for multi-positioned Malik Cunningham to make the squad as a third signal-caller behind Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. Head coach Bill Belichick used a Monday radio appearance to praise Cunningham, an undrafted player the Patriots signed in April who can play both quarterback and wide receiver. "Malik is a really interesting player. Kid never played receiver before or returned kicks, and he's done both," Belichick told "The Greg Hill Show." "As well as playing quarterback. He certainly has some things on his resume. So do other players. We'll see how all that plays out." But it's far from guaranteed that the ex-Louisville player will make the roster to begin the regular season. New England could roll with just two quarterbacks, Jones and Zappe, and reportedly, they are leaning towards other options at receiver. Still, Belichick might want to activate Cunningham to keep other teams from having the opportunity to sign him. Practice squad players are eligible to join other organisations as long as they aren't on the 53-man roster. In his first NFL pre-season, Cunningham threw passes, ran the ball and made receptions. Outside of trick plays, that kind of versatility is almost unprecedented. In recent memory, only Terrelle Pryor received regular playing time as a quarterback and wide receiver. However, Pryor did those jobs at different points in his career, transitioning to a pass-catching role after his passing skill set proved below par at the NFL level. "There's a lot of stuff that I still need to work on, but I feel like I put enough good stuff on film to let the coaches make that decision," Cunningham said on his thoug){kind=link}
The New England Patriots reduced their quarterback ranks by cutting Trace McSorley in a development that keeps rookie Malik Cunningham in position to make the final 53-man roster
The New England Patriots released reserve quarterback Trace McSorley on Monday ahead of the NFL deadline to trim their roster to 53 active players. The move leaves the door open for multi-positioned Malik Cunningham to make the squad as a third signal-caller behind Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.
Head coach Bill Belichick used a Monday radio appearance to praise Cunningham, an undrafted player the Patriots signed in April who can play both quarterback and wide receiver. “Malik is a really interesting player. Kid never played receiver before or returned kicks, and he’s done both,” Belichick told “The Greg Hill Show.”
“As well as playing quarterback. He certainly has some things on his resume. So do other players. We’ll see how all that plays out.”
But it’s far from guaranteed that the ex-Louisville player will make the roster to begin the regular season. New England could roll with just two quarterbacks, Jones and Zappe, and reportedly, they are leaning towards other options at receiver.