One week after posting a Snapchat from the Patriots locker room, free agent running back LeGarrette Blount has made it official and signed a one-year deal worth up to $2 million with the Patriots, according to a report from NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. Blount will earn $1 million in base salary and bonuses and up to $1 million in incentives next season.
LeGarrette Blount re-signs with Patriots
The free agent running back is returning to New England.
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
Blount spent last season with New England and was a serviceable back, particularly in late-game situations. Over 12 games with the Patriots in 2015, Blount had 165 carries for 703 yards and six touchdowns. He was placed on injured reserve late in the season with a hip injury.
Blount has been a bit of a journeyman since coming into the league as an undrafted free agent following the 2010 NFL Draft. A volatile player in college, he came into the NFL with a bit of a reputation after a few suspensions in college. Blount signed with the Tennessee Titans after the draft, but was waived and landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In three seasons with the Bucs, Blount's productivity declined dramatically each year. A strong rookie campaign, which he finished with 1,007 yards and six touchdowns, was followed up by 781 yards and five touchdowns in 2011 and just 151 yards and two touchdowns in 2012. Doug Martin exploded onto the NFL scene as a rookie in 2012, racking up 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns and not leaving much room for Blount to contribute to the Bucs' ground game.
Blount initially joined the Patriots via trade prior to the 2013 season, and he had a reasonably productive season in New England, finishing with 772 yards and seven touchdowns on 153 carries. This included a remarkable performance in Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills, in which Blount rushed for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
He signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to the 2014 season, but his stay in Pittsburgh was short-lived. Blount and teammate Le'Veon Bell were arrested for marijuana possession, and after managing 266 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games, Blount was waived by the Steelers.
After clearing waivers, Blount returned to the Patriots, and has experienced more consistent productivity and success in New England than with the Bucs or Steelers. The signing comes a day after the Patriots waived running back Tyler Gaffney.
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