Antonio Gibson will be on the move when free agency begins. The dual-threat running back is set to join the Patriots, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The Patriots will not devote too much money to complementing Rhamondre Stevenson, but the team will still authorize a deal north of the veteran minimum. Gibson will sign a three-year, $11.25MM pact, the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed tweets.
The former Washington back will receive $5.3MM guaranteed, per Kyed, who indicates the contract can max out at $17MM. The Pats are guaranteeing $1.2MM of Gibson’s 2025 base salary ($2.35MM) at signing. This deal brings a bigger commitment than the Patriots gave Ezekiel Elliott last year, though Stevenson should still be expected to lead the way in his contract year.
Gibson, 25, has a history of operating as a supplementary option. The Memphis product, however, was not especially consistent in Washington. Gibson rushed for 1,037 yards in 2021, and he added 1,042 scrimmage yards as a rookie. The Commanders turned more to 2022 third-rounder Brian Robinson over the past two years, and Gibson will do fairly well on the contract front considering he only gained 265 rushing yards last season.
Eric Bieniemy‘s offense minimized Gibson, though last year’s 65-carry season also can be interpreted as a conservation effort through a long-term lens. While the Commanders are moving on, the Patriots will see if the former third-round pick can bounce back in what will still be a low-cost backfield. New OC Alex Van Pelt, after all, did spent four years in Cleveland, where a running back duo (Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt) played a major role.
He is immediately their most athletic player on offense.
Maybe the entire roster
Thornton is one of the fastest in the NFL.
Jon Jones is athletic.
Marcus Jones is athletic.
now we just need some offensive linemen to block for both rbs. we need to bring back Owewu, sign or draft a left tackle and try to upgrade right tackle or right guard. sow was decent but better as a back up.
Don’t think you can hang Gibson’s poor numbs from this past year on him…. It was a pass happy offense