Rhamondre Stevenson likely next up for a contract extension with the Patriots
FOXBORO, Mass. — Rhamondre Stevenson watched the New England Patriots’ offseason moves from afar, not saying much publicly as the team prioritized re-signing its homegrown talent. He watched the team ink new deals with Joshua Uche, Hunter Henry, Mike Onwenu, Kyle Dugger, Christian Barmore and Anfernee Jennings, a clear shift in thinking with a new front office that wants to reward successful players — many of them drafted by the team — with extensions. The thinking is that will help motivate others.
Stevenson is trying not to let it distract him too much, but next up in the Patriots’ line of potential extension candidates is Stevenson, the reliable, do-everything running back who they think is in store for a big 2024 season.
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“It’s pretty close,” Stevenson said Monday of a contract extension with the Patriots.
The Patriots haven’t shied away from rewarding homegrown talent with extensions at the start of this rebuild under de facto general manager Eliot Wolf and coach Jerod Mayo. They hope that will show the franchise’s young players what could await them if they take to the coaching and put in the work.
But more tangibly, it could mean a big payday for Stevenson, who has been the team’s best offensive player for most of the last three years.
In the modern game, there’s a fear (and plenty of evidence) that it’s unwise to give a running back a lucrative contract.
But it might be worth it for a Patriots team that has lacked playmakers and shouldn’t be concerned about its cap space this year or next while it rebuilds to ideally make a run in 2026. That’s why it won’t be a surprise if New England signs Stevenson to an extension before training camp begins at the end of July.
“Right now I’m just trying to get the deal done and get it locked in with the extension,” Stevenson said. “So we can see how that goes.”
