FOXBORO, Mass. — This offseason has been one of change for Malik Cunningham, who signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. 

A quarterback out of Louisville, Cunningham wasn't brought in to compete against Mac Jones, and instead was moved to wide receiver. 

And nobody knows more about that change that Patriots legend Julian Edelman. 

Edelman was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round (232nd overall pick) in the 2009 NFL Draft. At Kent State he was a quarterback, but was announced as a wide receiver at the draft. 

And it was clear New England didn't need another quarterback, having Tom Brady. 

His career speaks for itself, finishing with 620 receptions for 6,822 yards and 36 touchdowns before retiring in 2021. And you can't forget about the three Super Bowl championships that he won along with being named Super Bowl MVP in 2019.    

So for Cunningham it makes sense why he looks to Edelman as inspiration. 

“I just feel like they took a chance on me and I wouldn’t have come here if they didn’t think I could do it. So it’s always good to see somebody before you do it and be able to watch them,” Cunningham said. “You’re not going to be exactly him. Nobody is. He’s one of a kind. Just the type of player he is and just trying to pick different stuff from his game and add it to mine.

“I watch a lot of the older guys, some of Julian’s film as well. Just moving around different positions,” Cunningham added. “He’s not the fastest guy, but he knows how to get open. So just using leverage based on the defender and just being, when the ball gets in your hands, just being a weapon with it. And that’s something I feel like I’m accustomed to doing since I’ve been playing football. Just get the ball in my hands and being able to make defenders miss.”

However, the two have had limited interactions since Cunningham joined the team. 

“I’ve talked to him maybe like once or twice. He came into the training room. Just told me just keep my head down, keep my head down. Just keep working. Just keeping learning from the older guys. And like I said, just being a sponge," Cunningham said. "Everyday you can learn so much throughout the building, just learning from the other receivers and the quarterback. Just learning from the defensive guys and what they think in different coverages, and picking their brains. So it’s been pretty fun.”

As for Edelman, he was asked about his relationship with Cunningham and if there is any advice he would like to share from one former quarterback turned wide receiver, to another. 

"I haven't really talked to him. I think I saw him in OTAs. Like I tell a lot of these young guys, what I learned at a young age from Scott O'Brien, who was a special teams guru, he said, there's going to be good plays and bad plays, but with every play there is a bit of experience that you gain," Edelman said on Thursday. "So the guys that can digest that bad play and learn from that experience, it helps them so I just kind of explained that to young guys. And mistakes are going to be made all the time, you just can't make the same mistake twice. That's how you get replaced."

Edelman looked to make his mark from the first minute he stepped foot on the field in a Patriots uniform, and that is now what Cunningham strives to do during the preseason. 

Cunningham has looked solid during training camp, showing off his speed during individual and team drills. His knowledge of both positions could come in handy for the Patriots this season. 

Patriots legend has ‘interesting’ way of communicating with Mac Jones

A very good resource for Mac Jones.

Featured Image via Sophie Weller – A to Z Sports