The New England Patriots didn’t cause any major headlines by selecting a quarterback in the early rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, but they did add a rookie signal caller this offseason. 

The Patriots officially signed Louisville QB Malik Cunningham as an undrafted free agent last week. Cunningham’s rookie contract includes a $30,000 signing bonus and $200,000 in total guarantees.

If that sounds like a lot for an undrafted rookie, it’s because it is. It’s the third-highest signing bonus and 14th-highest total guarantee handed out to an undrafted free agent this offseason.

And based on the total guarantee of his contract, he was better off going undrafted than he would have been being drafted past the first few picks of the sixth round.

The New York Jets took linebacker Zaire Barnes 184th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. His four-year, $4.03 million contract includes just $193,568 — his signing bonus — in total guarantees. So, Barnes gets his money as soon as he signs his contract, but Cunningham is actually guaranteed more on his three-year, $2.725 million deal. Cunningham’s APY is lower, but he also could hit free agency earlier than any player drafted. Every player wants to hear their name called in he draft, but for some, they're better off waiting to pick their team as a free agent after the event.

The Patriots rookie QB has higher total guarantees than five of the Patriots' 12 2023 NFL Draft picks.

Cunningham participated in Patriots rookie minicamp as a QB only this weekend, per a source. 

He ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and was the fifth-fasted player overall clocked at 20.99 MPH at the Senior Bowl, according to executive director Jim Nagy. So, while the first practices of his career came at quarterback, it is still possible he could switch positions or be used in certain formations near the goal line or on read-option plays in new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien's offense.

Featured image via Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports