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The New England Patriots running game was bad in 2015, there is no way around it. Part of it was the young and unproved offensive line, but part of it was also the performance of the Patriots' backs - especially, after Dion Lewis went down with a season-ending knee injury.
Naturally, New England was thus linked to a lot of big name running backs. Among them, two players who won't join the Patriots, according to Adam Schefter: former Miami Dolphin Lamar Miller and former Chicago Bear Matt Forte.
Former Miami RB Lamar Miller plans to sign with the Houston Texans, league sources tell ESPN.
Matt Forte is signing with the NY Jets, per source.
While one big-name running back leaves the AFC East, another one joins New England's division. Neither one will join the Patriots, though, as it seems both were out of the team's price range.
Among the running backs left on the open market are Bilal Powell, Alfred Morris, Arian Foster or Ronnie Hillman. Restricted free agent C.J. Anderson could also be available, as could be LeGarrette Blount, who originally joined the Patriots in 2013 and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent soon.