The New England Patriots clearly had some competition when they were signing Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham as an undrafted free agent.

The Patriots gave Cunningham a contract that includes $200,000 in total guarantees and a $30,000 signing bonus, according to a source. That’s the most guaranteed money the Patriots have ever given out to an undrafted free agent. It’s more guaranteed money than most 2022 sixth-round picks received last season, though it is a lower signing bonus.

Cunningham has a decent shot at making the Patriots’ 2023 roster based on the guarantees in his contract, which will end up higher than some of New England’s 2023 NFL Draft picks. Cunningham ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash at 6-feet, 200 pounds. He rushed for 3,713 yards with 50 touchdowns in five seasons at Louisville. His most productive year was in 2021, when he carried the ball for 1,142 yards with 20 touchdowns. He also completed 62 percent of his passes that season for 2,941 yards with 19 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Cunningham completed 136-of-218 passes for 1,568 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions while adding 652 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground in 2022. In his five-year college career, Cunningham completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 9,660 yards with 70 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.

The Patriots only had room for four undrafted free agents, so the usual pool of money will likely be concentrated on only a few players, Cunningham being one of them. "He has a fun skillset" is what one source would offer on the addition.

Cunningham joins Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and Trace McSorely in the Patriots' quarterback room. He'd be a valuable player to roster based on his ability to imitate more mobile passers New England will face. His mobility also offers some intriguing upside.

Featured image via Louisville Athletics