Jermaine Wiggins is done with Mac Jones. He’s seen enough of Bailey Zappe, too. With this Patriots season all but lost already, Wiggy wants to see the one quarterback he believes still offers some potential.
“I got two words for you: Malik Cunningham. That’s it. Time to see him play,” Wiggy said Thursday morning on The Greg Hill Show (listen to the full clip above).
The Patriots signed Cunningham as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville in the spring. After spending time on the practice squad and not playing in the first five games of the season, Cunningham was signed to the active roster last week and served as Mac Jones’ backup Sunday in Las Vegas. He played six snaps, and there have been rumors that New England could install more plays for him going forward.
Cunningham certainly brings a different dynamic than the Patriots’ other quarterbacks as a running threat. At Louisville, he broke Lamar Jackson’s career touchdown record with 120 (70 passing, 50 rushing). His best season came in 2021, when he threw for 2,941 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions while rushing for another 1,034 yards and 20 touchdowns.
The reason he went undrafted, though, was because of concerns about whether he would ever be a good enough passer to be an NFL quarterback. Wiggy is ready to give him a shot and find out.
“I’m saying from here on out, I want to see him play. I want to see if the kid can do anything,” Wiggy said. “At this point in time, I’ve seen enough of Mac Jones. I’ve probably seen enough of Bailey Zappe. So, I want Malik. Maybe he gives you a little extra in the run game.
“They said Lamar Jackson couldn’t throw the football – I was one of the people that said that – when he first got into the league, either. But he was still able to do some things because if you have that element and you have that ability, build an offense where you’re not asking him to throw crazy passes. I’m just ready for Malik Mania. It’s time to go.”