When the Detroit Lions signed quarterback-turned-wide receiver Malik Cunningham to their practice squad, it was clear what the objective was. The Lions had to find a way to stop Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson if they wanted to win on Monday Night Football.
Cunningham doesn't initially paint the picture of a difference-making signing. He went undrafted out of Louisville in 2023 before signing with the New England Patriots. Late into his rookie season, the Ravens signed Cunningham off the Patriots' practice squad. To date, the only stat Cunningham has registered is one sack for a loss of five yards across two games. In 2024, Cunningham began transitioning to WR and was eventually released at the conclusion of the 2025 preseason.
That history already brings up notable connections with the current Ravens QB. Cunningham was a redshirt freshman in 2017, which was Jackson's final season with Louisville. Cunningham also spent time with Jackson's current team as a member of their practice squad. That could certainly provide valuable intel on how the two-time MVP operates, but he also brings another trait that head coach Dan Campbell and the Lions valued.
Cunningham is a great runner. At Louisville, Cunningham rushed for 3,182 yards, which fell just under a thousand yards short of Jackson's totals. Cunningham had his career-best season in 2021, where he threw for 2,941 yards and 19 touchdowns and ran for 1,034 yards and 20 touchdowns.
If there was any player available to the Lions that could come anywhere close to emulating Jackson during practice, Cunningham would be the correct choice.
Campbell praises Cunningham after a "big day at practice"
The Cunningham signing did pay off. While Jackson put up the impressive passing numbers that come with being the all-time leader in passer rating, he struggled on the ground. Jackson only amassed 35 rushing yards and took a career-high seven sacks.
Campbell was asked "how proud" he was with the defense getting to Jackson, and he was quick to respond "very proud," but took the time to give Cunningham his flowers:
"I think something we worked on, look, Wednesday, we had Malik (Cunningham) running quarterback, and he had some big, some big, he had a big day at practice. And, he had a big day, you know, it opens your eyes a little bit. You coach it up, you tweak a couple things, (Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard) and those guys, come out Thursday and it's better. But, still, we're like, 'Man this guy's running around and we can't get him contained.' And then by Friday, man, you're pretty good."
The Lions have been notorious for their inability to deal with mobile QBs over the years. Fans have long considered it an Achilles' heel. Limiting the running ability of the greatest dual-threat QB of all time on Monday was nothing short of cathartic.
It's ironic considering Jackson's 35 rushing yards were only one yard fewer than the 36 he had in the Ravens' 38-6 victory over the Lions in 2023. The difference was how flustered Jackson looked thanks to the absurd amount of pressure he faced. Jackson wasn't sacked once in that 2023 game compared to the seven on Monday. Jackson did not look like a QB who was nearly undefeated against NFC opponents.
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The addition of Cunningham may have truly been the Rosetta Stone the Lions have been looking for to finally solve this long-running mystery. Cunningham isn't the veteran that C.J. Beathard is, but mobile QBs are the meta in the NFL. The more the defense can practice against a gifted runner, the better equipped they will be if they have to go up against Jackson again in the Super Bowl or reigning MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Hopefully, this performance is enough for the Lions to want to keep Cunningham on the practice squad long-term. He's earned it.