<a href="https://www.on3.com/db/malik-cunningham-81793/">Malik Cunningham</a> was <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/lamar-jackson-137145/">Lamar Jackson</a>‘s successor at Louisville. They’re now on the same NFL team — the Ravens — but Cunningham no longer is Jackson’s backup.



Why? Well, Cunningham no longer is even a quarterback. He’s now officially a receiver, with Ravens coach John Harbaugh figuring that the now former quarterback had skills the team could utilize.



The idea of a position switch was suggested back in April, before the NFL Draft. Cunningham told the coaches “I’m all in.”



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Putting the QB dream (at least) on pause isn't easy for Malik Cunningham, but he's embracing the challenge of converting to wide receiver. Here's what Cunningham has to say about the move, his time in New England, and doing something Lamar (maybe) can't.<a href="https://t.co/2Hzw6ODx9k">https://t.co/2Hzw6ODx9k</a>— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryanmink/status/1803852109357470091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



But he did have some reservations.



“At first, I looked at it as like, ‘Dang man, I want to be a quarterback,'” Cunningham <a href="https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/malik-cunningham-embracing-quarterback-wide-receiver-switch-baltimore-ravens-news-new-england-patriots" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told reporters earlier this month.</a> “But at the same time, you have to do what’s best for the team and that’s how I looked at it. I was like, ‘Hey, I can make plays for the quarterbacks out there when I get the ball in space.’ So I looked at it as a plus, not as a fail.



“I believe in myself and my ability. Yeah, I can play quarterback. But that’s now what they need me to do right now. They need me to do something else. I’m the type of guy, whatever it takes for the team to win.”



The Patriots signed Cunningham as an undrafted free agent in April, 2023. Bill Belichick was the head coach at the time. And he kicked around the idea of moving Cunningham to receiver or at least using a special package of plays for the talented backup quarterback. When starting quarterback <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/mac-jones-141432/">Mac Jones </a>started floundering in the regular season, Belichick mentioned it again.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Malik Cunningham is a gamer. <a href="https://t.co/yeMXxxYgl1">pic.twitter.com/yeMXxxYgl1</a>— NFL Fashion Advice (@fashion_nfl) <a href="https://twitter.com/fashion_nfl/status/1689814674626486272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



But Cunningham stayed on the practice squad. The Patriots promoted him to the active roster for three days in early December, then effectively released him. Days later, the Ravens signed him as they ramped up for a playoff run.



Why not have Jackson’s college No. 2 back him up in the NFL?



“Honestly, I’m gonna just keep it real. Where I grew up, like a lot of us, we’re just straight ballers,” Cunningham said. “When I got to middle school, I went strictly quarterback, but I’ve always been athletic. I really, honestly, don’t think Lamar can go out there and do that, what I’m doing right now. … There ain’t nothing that nobody can say to me that I can’t do if I put my mind to it, honestly.”



Harbaugh told reporters that Cunningham stood out in OTAs as a receiver. He mostly lined up in the slot.



“He’s shown a lot of speed, a lot of quickness,” Harbaugh said. “Kind of a natural at the position. I’ve seen that he understands the game from the perspective of the quarterback, so [his] routes and coverage and timing and things like that have been excellent.”



The Ravens will gather together again for preseason training camp. The first practice is July 21.

malik cunningham ravens

5GOATs

Malik Cunningham embracing position change from quarterback to receiver with Ravens

team image

Pro News

NFL News

NFL Draft News

NASCAR

NBA News

NBA Draft News

Culture

Sports Betting

About

Football

Basketball

Women's Basketball

Softball

Baseball

Alabama

Arizona State

Arizona

Arkansas

Auburn

Baylor

Boston College

California

Removed

Clemson

Colorado

Duke

Florida

Florida State

Georgia

Georgia Tech

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Iowa State

Kansas

Kansas State

Kentucky

Lettermen Row

Lettermen Lounge

Louisville

Maryland

Miami

Michigan State

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi State

Missouri

NC State

Nebraska

North Carolina

Northwestern

Notre Dame

Ohio State

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

Ole Miss

The Main Board

Oregon

Oregon State

Penn State

Pittsburgh

Purdue

Rutgers

South Carolina

Stanford

Syracuse

Tennessee

Texas A&M

Texas

Texas Tech

UCLA

Utah

Vanderbilt

Virginia

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest

Washington

Washington State

West Virginia

Wisconsin

BamaOnLine

BOL Round Table

Inside Texas

IT Members Only

DawgsHQ

Dawg Walk

Scoop Duck

Recruiting & Sports

AuburnSports

The Corner

WeAreSC

GarryP's Trojan Huddle

The Wolverine

The Fort

The Lions Den

The Wolfpacker

The Wolves’ Den

GatorsOnline

Swamp Talk

Alabama A&M

Alabama State

Albany

Alcorn State

Abilene Christian

Appalachian State

Akron

Army

Austin Peay

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Arkansas-Little Rock

Arkansas State

Air Force

Ball State

American

Wofford

Winthrop

Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Wisconsin-Green Bay

Wichita State

Western Carolina

Volleyball

Gymnastics

Men's Lacrosse

Women's Lacrosse

Men's Soccer

Women's Soccer

Women's Track

Men's Golf

Women's Golf

Men's Hockey

Women's Hockey

Men's Swimming

Women's Swimming

Wrestling

Men's Tennis

Women's Tennis

Annual $1

Annual Premium

Annual $1 

Monthly

Annual

Unlimited Access to This and All Articles.

Article (On3 Plus Rivals)

Forum (On3 Plus Rivals)

Intro

Join

College scoop, experts, and community - all in one.

Winback

QB makes transfer committment

Darian Mensah

Way-Too-Early CFB prediction

2026 All-America Team

Final 2026 recruiting rankings

5-Star Countdown

Asks for Bediako judge recusal

NCAA files motion 

Canes add WR to transfer haul