After being one of the busiest teams in the league during the early days of free agency, the New England Patriots have taken a step out of the spotlight the last two days. Today, however, they have returned to the stage by making another personnel move.
As first reported by ESPN’s Field Yates, and since confirmed by a Patriots press release, the team has signed unrestricted free agent running back Rex Burkhead:
The Patriots have signed former Bengals RB Rex Burkhead, per league source.
Burkhead visited the Patriots yesterday and it obviously was a productive meeting between the club and the player. The 26-year old, who entered the league as a sixth round draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2013, has entered free agency coming off his most productive season as a professional.
Not only will he therefore bring experience to New England, he also adds depth alongside Dion Lewis and James White. Burkhead has proven to be a productive runner and pass catcher in limited snaps and should fit in well with the Patriots and their running back rotation. At the very least, he should be an upgrade over free agent Brandon Bolden in terms of offensive production.