Rhamondre Stevenson is guaranteed to remain a focal point for the New England Patriots moving forward.
As the six-time Super Bowl-winning franchise pivots away from Bill Belichick and onto the Jerod Mayo era, the team ensures the running back will lead a much younger Pats offense by signing him to a new extension on Thursday.
Inside Rhamondre Stevenson’s Contract Extension
Per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Stevenson has agreed to a four-year, $36 million extension to remain in Foxborough.
Patriots and RB Rhamondre Stevenson reached agreement on a four-year extension for $36 million, including $17M fully guaranteed, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 20, 2024
Also, NFL Network Insider Rapoport added the additional incentives that come with Stevenson’s new contract. Included in Stevenson’s deal: $600,000 each for scrimmage yards of 1,400, 1,500, and 1,600 in 2025. Stevenson can additionally add another $600,000 for a Pro Bowl appearance, also for 2025.
Stevenson now ranks in the top 10 among highest-paid NFL running backs. The fourth-year Patriots RB officially ranks as the seventh-highest-paid player for his position, per Schefter.
Rhamondre Stevenson’s extension makes him the 7th highest-paid RB in the NFL on a per-year basis:
🏈Christian McCaffrey: $19M
🏈Alvin Kamara: $15M
🏈Jonathan Taylor: $14M
🏈Saquon Barkley: $12.583M
🏈Josh Jacobs: $12M
🏈Joe Mixon: $9.875M
🏈Rhamondre Stevenson: $9M— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 20, 2024
Stevenson will soon walk into Patriots training camp with a new starting quarterback under center in either 2024 first-rounder Drake Maye or veteran Jacoby Brissett. Outside of promoting Mayo to head coach, the franchise hired longtime offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt to run the Pats’ offense and feed the ball to Stevenson.
Revisiting Stevenson’s Career in New England
The Las Vegas native has emerged as a fan favorite among Pats fans in the post-Tom Brady universe.
Stevenson arrived to the franchise via the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma. The 6’0″, 227-pounder surfaced on league draft boards by racking up 1,180 career rushing yards with 13 touchdowns, including the career-high seven he delivered during the truncated 2020 COVID-19 season. Stevenson played in 19 total games for the Sooners.
He got swooped up by the Pats at No. 120 overall. Stevenson was the seventh running back selected in the ’21 class and was part of an RB group that featured first-rounders Travis Etienne and Najee Harris.
Stevenson managed to get his feet wet right away in the Pats’ backfield during his rookie year. He cracked the starting lineup twice while witnessing action in 12 total games. Stevenson finished second on the team with 606 rushing yards and scored five times. Only Damien Harris produced more yards and touchdowns, with 929 and 15, respectively. Both men formed a strong tandem that powered New England’s postseason appearance at 10-7.
Stevenson, though, eventually elevated himself to RB1 status in 2022. He tallied 1,040 yards and tied his rookie mark of five touchdowns in snatching the lead back role. Stevenson even accomplished those numbers despite starting in only seven games.
Last season, Stevenson’s numbers dipped to 619 rushing yards with four touchdowns. He ended his ’23 campaign with a high ankle sprain he sustained in Week 13. He was unable to cross the 100-yard mark in any game last year.
But with Stevenson now under contract through 2028, it gives him a chance to continue to work his way up the Patriots’ record books.
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With 2,265 career yards, Stevenson currently trails Pats Super Bowl winner Sony Michel, who accumulated 2,292 yards during his time in New England. Currently, Stevenson ranks No. 18 overall among all-time career rushing yards in franchise history.
But Stevenson needs just 3,190 yards to surpass franchise leader Sam Cunningham’s mark of 5,453 yards. Now that he’s locked up for the next five years and set to play for a coordinator who emphasizes the run game, Stevenson has a strong chance to place his name as the Pats’ all-time rushing leader down the road.
