FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — When free company started this yr, the Patriots’ first transfer was signing Washington Commanders operating again Antonio Gibson to a three-year, $11.25 million contract, which included $5.3 million assured.
And, now, the group has doubled down on the place by agreeing to a four-year extension with Rhamondre Stevenson price $36 million, which incorporates $17 million assured.
Stevenson has been a giant a part of the Patriots’ offense since being drafted within the fourth spherical in 2021. He has totaled 2,265 speeding yards on 499 carries with 14 touchdowns. Sam Cunningham is the Patriots’ all-time speeding chief with 5,453 yards. With a four-year extension, Stevenson ought to have an opportunity to problem that report.
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
The Patriots entered the offseason with roughly $85 million in wage cap area and Stevenson is the sixth participant to obtain a brand new contract. Security Kyle Dugger (4 years, $58 million), OT Mike Onwenu (three years, $57 million), TE Hunter Henry (three years, $27 million), WR Kendrick Bourne (three years, $19.5 million) and LB Anfernee Jennings (three years, $12 million) spherical out the record.
This deal particularly, although, sparks a query: Are the Patriots overinvested financially at operating again earlier than they must be?
Stevenson ranks seventh amongst present operating again contracts in assured cash, behind the Saints’ Alvin Kamara ($34.3 million), Colts’ Jonathan Taylor ($26.5 million), Eagles’ Saquon Barkley ($26 million), 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey ($24 million), Falcons’ Bijan Robinson ($22 million) and Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs ($17.8 million).
Add within the $5.3 million assured for Gibson and that places the Patriots within the higher half of the league rankings in assured cash for operating backs — a place with a excessive damage price and one during which historical past exhibits gamers can tail off shortly.
Better of NFL Nation
• Will gamers conform to 18-game season?• Kelce, Kittle spotlight Tight Finish College• Marvin Harrison Jr. already impressing• Browns like choices at broad receiver• What gamers cannot do in offseason
The Patriots are banking on Gibson (25 years previous) and Stevenson (26) bucking that development, and sure backloaded Stevenson’s contract to supply themselves with a stage of monetary insurance coverage.
However contemplating Stevenson was already below contract for the 2024 season, set to earn a modest base wage of $3.116 million, the Patriots’ willingness to increase Stevenson represents a notable shift from the way in which enterprise was largely achieved below former coach and de facto personnel chief Invoice Belichick.
Signing Stevenson now shifts extra of the chance to the group’s aspect one season earlier than that danger must be taken — one thing Belichick did not love to do — with one burning query on the desk: Will he make it via the 2024 season wholesome?
In fact, that strategy generally backfired below Belichick (Jakobi Meyers leaving and signing with the Raiders as a free agent, for instance) — main, partially, to a expertise drain that contributed to final yr’s 4-13 marketing campaign and the Patriots and Belichick finally parting methods after 24 seasons.
High tales of the week from 
Get unique entry to hundreds of premium articles a yr from prime writers.• Offseason strikes for all 30 NBA groups »• NFL: Strikes earlier than camp for each group »• Predicting each recreation of Copa America » Extra ESPN+ content material »
It is clearly a brand new period in Foxborough below first-year coach Jerod Mayo and first-year govt vice chairman of participant personnel Eliot Wolf.
The Patriots, with money to spend and an abundance of wage cap area at their disposal, have proven they’re open for enterprise for long-term investments at any place — together with operating again, a spot some groups have been burned up to now with large investments.
As for what’s subsequent, Stevenson and Gibson type the 1-2 punch at operating again, after which there will likely be a contest to see who fills out the depth chart behind them, with Kevin Harris and pass-catcher JaMycal Hasty amongst these vying for spots.
