One of the NFL’s best young running backs is staying in New England.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the New England Patriots had given Rhamondre Stevenson a four-year, $36 million deal with $17 million guaranteed.
In making $9 million per season, Stevenson becomes the seventh-highest running back by average annual salary, moving ahead of the Bears’ D’Andre Swift.
The 26-year-old Stevenson burst onto the scene in 2022 with 1,040 rushing yards on five yards per carry.
The former fourth-round pick was also exceptional at extending runs.
According to Pro Football Focus, Stevenson’s 3.81 yards after contact per attempt ranked first among running backs with 100 or more carries that season.
However, Stevenson wasn’t as stellar in 2023, ending with just 619 yards on 4.0 yards per carry, plus only 2.80 yards after contact per carry.
The Oklahoma product suffered an ankle sprain in Week 13 that sidelined him for the final five games of 2023.
Stevenson was set to be a free agent after the 2024 season, but the Patriots strove to get ahead of the curve and secure the back long-term.
With New England’s starting quarterback — either veteran journeyman Jacoby Brissett or No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye — yet to be determined, retaining Stevenson should be a big boon.
New head coach Jerod Mayo inherits an offense that scored just 13.9 points per game in 2023, but a fresher Stevenson and the additions of Maye, K.J. Osborn, Antonio Gibson, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker offer opportunity for improvement.
The team also brought in a new offensive coordinator in Alex Van Pelt, whose time in Cleveland should indicate a run-heavy attack with Stevenson at the helm.
Stevenson joins other high-level Patriots to be extended by the franchise this offseason, including defensive lineman Christian Barmore, safety Kyle Dugger and tackle Mike Onwenu.
The new-look Patriots will return to practice July 23 when veterans report to training camp.
