The UDFA signing period is in full swing, and the Patriots are among the teams adding quarterbacks to their rosters. New England is signing Malik Cunningham, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). A to Z Sports’ Doug Kyed tweets that the deal includes $200K in guaranteed money, the most ever given to an undrafted free agent in team history. 
Cunningham succeeded Lamar Jackson at Louisville in 2018, having been drawn there by the team’s willingness to play the latter at quarterback. They did the same with Cunningham, allowing him to have a lengthy career with the Cardinals.
Cunningham started 47 of 56 games, demonstrating an ability both through the air and on the ground throughout his time. He totaled 9,664 passing yards (on a completion percentage of 62.6%), and posted a 70:29 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He added 3,184 yards (averaging 5.1 per carry) and 50 touchdowns on the ground, giving him the all-time school record in total scores.
The 24-year-old thus has one of the more unique profiles amongst the many signal-callers who either heard their names called earlier today or have been signed to free agent deals. His frame (5-11, 192 pounds) and lack of development as a passer during his lengthy career, however, represent causes for concern about his potential at the NFL level. That explains his drop out of the draft, though New England’s sizeable investment in him demonstrates the competition they faced to sign him.
The Patriots have been at the heart of plenty of QB speculation this offseason, of course, with Mac Jones‘ status as the undisputed starter coming into question. New England was connected to Will Levis rumors after he visited the team prior to the draft, but they elected not to add a passer with any of their 12 selections this weekend. 2022 fourth-rounder Bailey Zappe and recent signing Trace McSorley comprise the rest of the team’s QB depth chart. Cunningham will look to compete for a role among those two in training camp as he begins what could be an intriguing NFL career.
This guy doesn’t sound like the Patriots kind of quarterback – I would have also thought they would pick up a veteran since their QB room is so inexperienced.