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.

“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.”

After the Patriots hired former Cleveland Browns assistant Alex Van Pelt as their offensive coordinator, Stevenson said he pulled up highlights on YouTube and watched how Nick Chubb carved up defenses as the lead back. Stevenson studied how and when he cut, an early step in trying to get used to Van Pelt’s scheme.

Stevenson knows that it tends to be a friendly playbook for running backs. Van Pelt and others who run this system are typically more dedicated to running the ball than other teams. And they’re typically better at it, too. Two of the top five rushing offenses last year (the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins) based on expected points added per play were teams using this Gary Kubiak/Mike Shanahan zone rushing scheme.

Now Stevenson hopes he’ll be the latest running back to find success in the system. He said he added muscle this offseason to set himself up for a strong campaign.

“I still weigh the same amount, but it’s just better weight,” he said.

“I got my body fat down, so it’s just better weight. Just a little stricter diet. Nothing too crazy … not eating super late at night, less snacking, things like that. …

“Just to make sure my body is ready for the whole season. It’s a long season. I’ve seen what that can get like, so I tried to prepare myself.”

Stevenson’s health, as he suggests, will go a long way toward determining how successful his season is. He missed the final five games last season due to a high ankle sprain.

But he had his breakout season the year before when he totaled 1,461 yards of offense despite opening the year as Damien Harris’ backup. That season, plus the 619 yards he rushed for behind a bad offensive line last season, has the Patriots excited about what he could do in 2024.

“I think he’s one of the better backs in the league, no doubt about it,” Mayo said. “I think over the last few years, it’s been kind of tough on him, as far as getting started. So I’m excited to see what he does this season. And look, he’s earned everything that he gets. He is our starting running back, and hopefully we do get (a contract extension) done.”

So far, the Patriots’ plan has been to keep the players they drafted after developing them into starters. If that continues, Stevenson is likely up next.

“It’s hard not to think about,” Stevenson acknowledged. “This is our career. Our life. Our future. So it’s hard not to think about. But (I’m focused on) just staying disciplined, just coming out here, working every day. As long as you do that, everything else should come with it.”