The Patriots have signed running back Rhamondre Stevenson to a four year, $36 million dollar extension. It includes $17 million in guarantees. The deal was first announced by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Stevenson said during mandatory minicamp that the two sides were “pretty close”. Well, it appears his agent and Patriots Executive of Football Operations Eliot Wolf got the deal done. 

The Patriots drafted Stevenson in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma. After getting his feet wet as a rookie, he burst on the scene in 2022 rushing for 1,040 yards and 5 touchdowns. Stevenson also caught 69 passes for 421 receiving yards and a touchdown reception. The 1,461 scrimmage yards is notable, given the incentives in his new deal. 

The Patriots are hoping their top rusher gets back on track after an injury-plagued 2023 season in which he played in 12 games and finished with 857 scrimmage yards. 

The $9 million new-money average ranks Stevenson seventh among running backs. He slots between Joe Mixon ($9.875 million) and Derrick Henry and D’Andre Swift ($8 million).

Stevenson will lead a running back that features him as the lead running back. Free agent addition Antonio Gibson will serve as the primary bs k up and as a third down back while Kevin Harris and veteran JaMychal Hasty will provide depth.

Stevenson’s signing continues the trend of the Patriots retaining their own players this off-season. The Patriots also re-signed Hunter Henry, Michael Onwenu Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche and they signed Kyle Dugger and Christian Barmore to extensions.