Stevenson has agreed to a four-year extension with the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Per Schefter, Stevenson's deal is for $36 million, of which $17 million is reportedly guaranteed. The move to extend the 2021 fourth-rounder beyond his current pact solidifies the Patriots backfield ahead of Jerod Mayo's first season as head coach, and with the team transitioning at the QB position, look for Stevenson and fellow RB Antonio Gibson to be key drivers of New England's offense in 2024. Over the course of 12 regular-season games last season, Stevenson logged 156 carries for 619 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 38 catches for 238 yards on 51 targets. As training camp approaches, the 26-year-old has moved past the ankle issue that cost him time down the stretch in 2023, with Stevenson's new contract terms reflecting his continued status as his team's lead back.
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Stevenson has agreed to a four-year extension with the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Per Schefter, Stevenson's deal is for $36 million, of which $17 million is reportedly guaranteed. The move to extend the 2021 fourth-rounder beyond his current pact solidifies the Patriots backfield ahead of Jerod Mayo's first season as head coach, and with the team transitioning at the QB position, look for Stevenson and fellow RB Antonio Gibson to be key drivers of New England's offense in 2024. Over the course of 12 regular-season games last season, Stevenson logged 156 carries for 619 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 38 catches for 238 yards on 51 targets. As training camp approaches, the 26-year-old has moved past the ankle issue that cost him time down the stretch in 2023, with Stevenson's new contract terms reflecting his continued status as his team's lead back.
Stevenson said Monday on the first day of mandatory minicamp that he and the Patriots are "pretty close" to terms on a new contract extension, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports. Stevenson said he's "trying to get the deal done and get it locked in" and that ongoing offseason negotiations are "not frustrating, but it's just a long process." As Stevenson enters the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, New England is looking ahead to a new era under coach Jerod Mayo, with quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye atop the depth chart. Keeping Stevenson under contract long-term would provide the team some stability on offense, especially with Ja'Lynn Polk, K.J. Osborn and Javon Baker also representing new additions to the wide receiver room. Mayo called Stevenson "one of the better backs in the league" this spring and said "he is our starting running back," though the team did also bring in Antonio Gibson on a three-year, $11.25 million contract this offseason to act as a complementary backfield option.
Following the NFL draft, Stevenson heads a New England running back corps that also includes newcomer Antonio Gibson, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports. Meanwhile, Ezekiel Elliott who actually led the Patriots with 642 rushing yards (on 184 carries) in 17 regular-season games in 2023 because Stevenson (619 yards on 156 carries) missed five contests, has signed on with the Cowboys, which leaves Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty, Ke'Shawn Vaughn and UDFA addition DeShaun Fenwick to compete for depth slotting behind Stevenson and Gibson. Now presumably past the ankle issue that landed him on IR last December, Stevenson is poised to reclaim his role as a pivotal option in a re-tooled New England offense under the guidance of new head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. While Stevenson remains entrenched as the team's lead back and thus seems destined to maintain enough volume to remain a fantasy factor, Gibson -- who spent the last four years with Washington -- is capable of contributing both on early downs and pass-catching situations, a scenario that should help ease Stevenson's load as the 2024 campaign progresses.
Stevenson was the bright spot of the New England offense and was relied upon heavily to move the ball. As a result, both his carry and yardage total on the ground were his highest marks of the season in a performance highlighted by a long gain of 15 yards and a seven-yard rushing score. Though Stevenson was inefficient as a pass catcher, he was heavily involved as a receiver, and he did enough to top 100 total yards for the third consecutive game. The Patriots' offense is likely to continue to run through Stevenson, so he should remain productive despite the overall poor state of the unit.
Stevenson briefly exited the Patriots' Week 10 loss to the Colts, but he returned to the contest and ended up parlaying his 46 (of a possible 69) snaps on offense into 20 carries for 88 yards and three catches on five targets for 14 yards. Following his team's bye week, Stevenson has moved past his back issue and is in line to pace New England's backfield -- which also includes Ezekiel Elliott (13 carries versus Indy) -- this weekend against the Giants.
Stevenson briefly exited Sunday's loss to the Colts but returned to the game and finished with season-highs in carries (20) and rushing yards (88) on his way to 102 total yards. The Patriots have a Week 11 bye for Stevenson to get some rest, but there doesn't appear to be any concern about his availability the following week against the Giants.
The running back has found his stride from a fantasy perspective, topping 80 rushing yards and 100 scrimmage yards in back-to-back games, but Stevenson needed big volume to hit those numbers against DeForest Buckner and the Indy front seven as his longest gain went for only 10 yards. Stevenson will get a week to rest up during the Patriots' bye before facing a very vulnerable Giants squad in Week 12.
Stevenson came in without a run longer than 15 yards this season, but he broke free for a 64-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to give the Patriots a 14-10 lead. Despite Stevenson's effectiveness, New England curiously went with a pass-heavy approach, as Mac Jones threw the ball 44 times for just 220 yards. Ezekiel Elliott had just 32 scrimmage yards on six carries and five targets, so Stevenson remains New England's primary backfield option heading into a Week 10 matchup with the Colts in Frankfurt.
Stevenson turned in some serviceable production relative to his amount of opportunities, but New England's ground game wasn't much of a priority as the second half unfolded and the Dolphins began to increase their lead. Stevenson outpaced backfield mate Ezekiel Elliott by three carries, yet neither back figures to have a chance for a true game-breaking performance as long as the passing game continues to mostly be inconsistent and the division of labor in the ground attack is similarly split.