Digital Sports Desk

Online Destination for the Best in Boston Sports

New England Patriots

Stevenson to Extend Pact with Patriots

by

FOXBOROUGH – New England running back Rhamondre Stevenson and the Patriots have agreed to extend his contract for four years and $36 million, including $17 million guaranteed, according to multiple media reports.

Embed from Getty Images

Stevenson, 26, is slated to earn a base salary of $3.116 million in the final year on his rookie contract, which he signed after the Patriots selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. His extension takes him through the 2028 season.

He told reporters earlier this month that the sides were “pretty close” to getting a deal done.

“It’s not frustrating, but it’s just a long process,” he said on June 10. “This is my first time going through it, but just hearing from all the other guys, this is how it goes. It’s a negotiation process, and I’m respecting the process.”

Last season, Stevenson suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 13 and sat out the rest of a 4-13 campaign. In 12 games, he rushed for 619 yards and four touchdowns and caught 38 passes for 238 yards.

In 41 games (21 starts) over three seasons, the 6-foot, 227-pound Oklahoma product has 2,265 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns along with 121 catches for 782 yards and one receiving score.

Stevenson shared the backfield with veteran Ezekiel Elliott last season, but Elliott rejoined the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. This spring, former Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson is in the fold after signing a three-year, $11.25 million deal, but Stevenson remains the starter.

“I think he’s one of the better backs in the league, no doubt about it,” first-year Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said of Stevenson at the Patriots’ mandatory minicamp two weeks ago. “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 something done.”

–Field Level Media

New England Patriots: Bronze Brady

by

FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The New England Patriots, while inducting the legendary Tom Brady into their Hall of Fame on Wednesday, delivered a few surprises for the retired quarterback.

Embed from Getty Images

Team owner Robert Kraft revealed that the Patriots are retiring Brady’s uniform No. 12 and are commissioning a 12-foot-tall bronze Brady statue that will be installed during the 2024 season.

“(The statue) will stand alone in the plaza outside of the Hall of Fame to symbolize his position, not as the greatest in franchise history, but as the greatest in all of NFL history,” Kraft said.

The ceremony drew a crowd of 60,000 to the Patriots’ home stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on the night of an NBA Finals game featuring the Boston Celtics. The three-hour festivities included appearances by scores of Brady’s former teammates and ex-Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. It was the first time Belichick returned to Foxborough since he resigned at the end of last season.

Brady gave thanks to all, saying, “I am eternally grateful. I am Tom Brady. And I am a Patriot.”

He added of Belichick, “It wasn’t me. It wasn’t you. It was us. … Let me make this crystal clear: There is no coach in the world I would rather play for than Bill Belichick.”

Brady, playing under Belichick, spent 20 years with the Patriots, leading the team to six Super Bowl championships. He later added another title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Belichick, greeted with huge cheers from Patriots fans, said to Brady, “Thank you for all that you’ve done for us. Thank you for all you’ve done for me. And thank you for the example and model you’ve been for all of us on a daily basis for 20 years. Congratulations.”

Patriots Name Eliot Wolf as EVP Football

by

FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The New England Patriots named Eliot Wolf their executive vice president of player personnel on Saturday. Wolf, 42, has 20 seasons of NFL experience, including the last four as director of scouting for the Patriots. His duties will include overseeing the personnel department, managing the salary cap and control of the 53-man roster.

The Patriots also have a first-year head coach in Jerod Mayo.

“As I have stated multiple times during the offseason, the plan was to observe the working relationship and involvement between Eliot and Jerod and see how they managed our offseason personnel decisions,” Patriots CEO Robert Kraft said in a prepared statement. “Then, following the draft we would formally undertake a process for setting up the permanent structure of our personnel department.

“I have been impressed with Eliot’s management style and experience and I’m excited that he has agreed to take on this new position.”

Wolf previously spent time with the Green Bay Packers (2004-17) and Cleveland Browns (2018-19). He was assistant general manager with the Browns.

“It is an honor to accept this position with the New England Patriots,” Wolf said. “I am grateful to the Kraft family for this opportunity and want to thank my family, especially my wife and children, for the support and strength they have given me as I move forward in my new role. I also want to thank all of the people I have worked with and learned from over the years.”

Wolf is the son of former Packers general manager Ron Wolf, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

–Field Level Media

Patriots: Maye Putting In the Work

by

FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England Patriots rookies – head coach Jerod Mayo and quarterback Drake Maye – spent a good deal of time together the past two days at the team’s rookie camp, with Mayo taking a level approach in his initial reviews.

Embed from Getty Images

“Early impressions of Drake?” Mayo said Saturday. “He has a lot to work on. But I have no doubt he’ll put the work in.”

Maye, the Patriots’ first-round pick (No. 3 overall) from North Carolina, has not yet been named the starter but that’s widely expected to come this summer.

Until then, Mayo will watch closely and continue to challenge the 21-year-old quarterback.

“He has a lot to work on. A lot to work on …,” Mayo continued. “He was here all night trying to get on the same page as everyone else.”

While “all night” might be a stretch, Mayo underscored the importance of spending quality time with his rookies.

“We’ll be here ‘til 7, 8, 9 o’clock,” he said. “Go in for a lift, then we have some meetings.

“The best thing about mini-camp is being around the guys for the first time. We’re at the hotel together. We’re right across the hallway from each other, so we’ll watch the film and look at the scripts for the next day together. We’ve got nothing else to do up here. Why not focus on football?”

Among Maye’s future targets, wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk spoke highly when asked for his evaluation of Maye.

“Guy can sling it,” said Polk, New England’s second-round selection. “Very confident and vocal. He’s a leader.

“He’s setting the tone in practice, trying to get guys moving around and operating at a high level. This is new to all of us. We’re still learning and trying to get to know each other so everybody can get on the same page.”

Much of Maye’s early work centered on fundamentals.

“I’m trying out two new stances that I’m getting used to,” he said. “Just getting more reps at it. Footwork is huge. It’s something that’s not easy.”

Along with Mayo, Maye will lean on Mayo as well as New England offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, offensive assistant coach Ben McAdoo and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney.

“T.C. is talking to us during the meetings,” Maye said, “Coach Van Pelt will chime in when he needs to. (McAdoo) is awesome. All three of them know a lot of football.”

-Field Level Media

Slye and the Patriots Family

by

FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Kicker Joey Slye agreed to terms on a contract with the New England Patriots, said multiple reports Thursday. Slye, who was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday, is expected to provide competition for Chad Ryland in New England.

Embed from Getty Images

Ryland, 24, made just 64 percent of his field-goal attempts (16 of 25) during his rookie season for the Patriots. He was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Slye didn’t spend long in Jacksonville, as he signed with the club on March 18.

Slye, 28, converted 19 of 24 field goals and 32 of 35 extra points in 17 games for the Washington Commanders last season. He has made 82.3 percent of his field goals and just 88.5 percent of his PATs across five seasons with four teams.

–Field Level Media

NFL Report: Patriots Sign KJ Osborn

by

FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The New England Patriots are bringing aboard one of the top remaining free agent receivers, signing former Minnesota Vikings wideout K.J. Osborn, according to multiple reports Sunday.

Osborn played a complementary role to standout Justin Jefferson in Minnesota, recording 158 receptions for 1,845 yards over the past three seasons.

He started 30 of his 59 games with the Vikings, contributing 15 touchdown receptions.

Osborn, who turns 27 in June, was a fifth-round pick by Minnesota in 2020.

The Patriots, who traded quarterback Mac Jones during this offseason, are likely to draft a QB with their first-round pick (No. 3 overall). New England’s receiver room is led by JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne and Jalen Reagor.

–Field Level Media

Patriots’ Slater to Retire

by

FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater announced his retirement Tuesday after 16 seasons. The three-time Super Bowl champion holds the NFL record for special teams players with 10 Pro Bowl selections.

Slater, 38, played in 264 games (including playoffs) for the Patriots from 2008-23, second only to Tom Brady (326).

“I have given all that I possibly can to respect and honor the game,” he wrote in a lengthy post on social media. “Though it is time for my relationship with the game to evolve, the love I have for it will last a lifetime.”

Originally drafted as a wide receiver in the fifth round in 2008, Slater made his impact on special teams. He served as a kick returner on and off between 2008 and 2016 and amassed 191 tackles in kick and punt coverage.

“In 2008, I came here as a young man with hopes and dreams,” Slater wrote. “In 2024, I can retire knowing this experience has exceeded any hope or dream I ever had.”

–Field Level Media

Patriots to Promote Covington

by

FOXBOROUGH – (Wire Service Report) – The New England Patriots will promote defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington to defensive coordinator, according to multiple media reports Saturday.

Embed from Getty Images

Covington, 34, would be the first staff hire for new head coach Jerod Mayo, who recently was promoted as an assistant to replace longtime head coach Bill Belichick.

The Patriots hired Covington as an assistant in 2017 and he moved up to defensive line coach in 2020.

Belichick often called the defensive plays, with the last defensive coordinator title held by Matt Patricia in 2017.

–Field Level Media

Patriots: Time for Jerod Mayo Impact

by

FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Jerod Mayo plans to take the lessons he learned from his predecessor and make the Patriots his own.

Embed from Getty Images

Mayo was introduced as head coach in New England on Wednesday, his first day in the seat previously occupied by six-time Super Bowl championship coach Bill Belichick.

“For me, I’m not trying to be Bill, I’m not trying to be Bill. I think that Bill is his own man, if you can’t tell by now, I’m even a little bit different up here,” said Mayo. “But what I will say is, the more I think about the lessons that I’ve taken from Bill, hard work works, right? Hard work works. And that’s what we’re all about.”

Mayo was drafted by the Patriots and worked as an assistant coach under Belichick. He has never played for or coached any other NFL team.

The Patriots were 4-13 and again finished outside of the playoff picture in the AFC, leading to a “mutual” parting between Belichick and owner Robert Kraft after 24 years and nine Super Bowl appearances.

Mayo, who won a Super Bowl with New England as an inside linebacker, joined the Patriots’ coaching staff in 2019. He was quickly promoted to head coach under terms of his contract that named him as the successor to Belichick.

He hinted at changes, some of which will align the Patriots with traditional NFL coaching staff structure to include official titles of defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator. There will be movement on the personnel side, too. The Patriots own the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft.

Mayo was clear about what he’s looking for on his roster and sounds ready to tackle reshaping the offense

“First of all, just the energy, the passion, the leaders on the offensive side of the ball,” Mayo said. “I think you have to get that stuff in place, and honestly, as the season starts to roll, well this season when it ends, we start in the weight room. I think the weight room is one of the most important areas in the building to really evaluate the people you have on your team. And one thing we don’t want to do is have people who are complainers, or finger-pointing, or things like that.”

Belichick could continue coaching and interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons this week.

–Field Level Media

Belichick Out as Patriots’ Coach

by

FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Coach Bill Belichick, the architect of six Super Bowl-winning teams with the New England Patriots, is ending his 24-year run as the team’s head coach, multiple outlets reported today. ESPN reported the two sides have agreed to mutually part ways after “productive talks resulted in a mutual decision that left both sides comfortable and at ease.”

A team press conference is scheduled for Noon, January 11th. – (Breaking Story with Follow-up)

Embed from Getty Images

While Belichick has one year remaining on his contract, ESPN reported that the Patriots will not attempt to trade him to another team and will allow him to pursue other head-coaching opportunities.

Belichick becomes the third coaching legend in two days to depart his role. Super Bowl-winning coach Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks split Wednesday after 14 seasons. Alabama head coach Nick Saban — a close friend of Belichick’s — also announced his retirement after 17 seasons and six national titles in Tuscaloosa and seven overall.

Seven other NFL teams have openings for a head coach, and the 71-year-old Belichick is expected to draw interest from some of those franchises. Speculation is that the Atlanta Falcons, who fired head coach Arthur Smith on Sunday, will be at the head of the line to talk to Belichick.

Belichick leaves New England with a 266-121 record in the regular season, plus a 30-12 mark in the postseason. His NFL head-coaching career began with the Cleveland Browns (1991-95), where he was 36-44 in the regular season and 1-1 in the postseason.

His 333 career wins are second only to Don Shula’s 347. Belichick, George Halas and Curly Lambeau are the only NFL coaches with six titles.

In Belichick’s 24 seasons, the Patriots won 17 AFC East titles, went to 13 AFC championship games and played in nine Super Bowls.

“This is the best coach that ever lived,” former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi said Thursday on ESPN’s “Get Up.”

“Bill Belichick could get every drop of physical ability, mental ability, football-playing ability out of you somehow, some way … and if you were a player that wanted to win championships, that’s exactly what you wanted.”

Belichick turned around a middling franchise that never had won a title and created a dynasty.

In his first season with the Patriots, in 2000, the team was 5-11. The next season, after quarterback Drew Bledsoe was injured, Belichick inserted second-year player Tom Brady into the lineup, and the duo won its first of six Super Bowls with a 20-17 victory over the then-St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.

Brady left the Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 in free agency, and the Patriots were 29-38 without him, including 4-13 this season.

Finding Belichick’s replacement will be the next step for Kraft. Among the early leading candidates is believed to be 37-year-old Jerod Mayo, who played linebacker for the Patriots from 2008-15 and has been on Belichick’s staff since 2019.

–Field Level Media