The New England Patriots have been known for not investing in running backs for the long term. However, Bellichick seemed to have broken that hot streak by signing multiple running backs to big contracts.
This offseason, James White signed a three-year, $12 million contract extention, Mike Gillislee joined on a two-year, $6.4 million deal and Rex Burkhead was added on a $3.15 million deal. From a minuscule three running back rotation to a plethora of runners, the Patriots could not be more happy.
With that, OTA’s have provided a heated battle at the running back position, all players duking it out to earn their spot on the 53-man roster. An unlikely candidate, DJ Foster, has made a name for himself during OTA’s being the dual threat back the Patriots love to use. Foster played both RB and WR in college and has taken past experiences and translated them into the NFL.
Foster reportedly made three highlight catches during a cold misty practice on the practice fields behind Gilette Stadium.
Ever since Shane Vereen (now turned New York Giant), the Patriots have looked to pass catching backs more so than downhill runners like Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson, and Eddie Lacy (who recently got a $50k bonus for not being overweight).
OTA’s have just begun and as the season gets closer, the positional race will become tighter and only the best of the best will make it on this Patriots juggernaut roster.
