Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and the New England Patriots agreed to a four-year contract worth $36 million on Thursday. according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal includes $17 million in guaranteed money.
Stevenson, 26, was the Patriots’ leading rusher in 2022-23, totaling 1,040 yards (average 5 yards per carry) with five touchdowns. He was also an effective receiver, catching 69 passes for 421 yards.
However, Stevenson was limited to 12 games last season after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 13, ending his season. Stevenson lost weight during the offseason and looked faster in OTAs, prompting praise from new head coach Jerod Mayo.
“I think he’s one of the better backs in the league, there’s no doubt about that,” Mayo said on the Patriots’ official website. I think it’s been quite difficult for him over the last few years, as far as starting out. So I’m curious to see what he does this season. And look, he’s earned everything he gets. He’s our starting running back and hopefully we can get something done.”
Now that a new contract has indeed been finalized, Stevenson can focus on returning to the team. In his previous three seasons he played alongside Damien Harris and Ezekiel Elliott. New England signed free agent Antonio Gibson to a three-year deal, so the rushing workload would need to be redistributed. But Mayo makes it sound like he expects Stevenson to take the lead.
Stevenson remaining with the Patriots for the next four seasons also gives him the opportunity to build a legacy with the franchise. as Schefter noted. With 2,265 yards rushing this season, he is 3,188 yards away from overtaking Sam Cunningham as the team’s all-time leading rusher.
If Stevenson averages 797 yards in each of the next four seasons, he will catch Cunningham. He averaged 755 yards the last three years, but he wasn’t the starter as a rookie and, as mentioned, he missed four games last season.
Considering the Patriots will start the season with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback while selecting Drake Maye in the first round, the offense could rely heavily on the running game – especially early on. That should give Stevenson a good chance to move up the franchise rushing yards list.
