During the Bill Belichick era, it’s hard to recall many Patriots running backs who got paid more than the minimum. While there were a few exceptions, $2 million per season was a definite line in the sand.
In the pecking order of important positions, running back wasn’t high up on Belichick’s pay list.
But now we have newcomer Rex Burkhead with a one-year, $3.15 million contract. We also have pass-catching back James White signing a three-year extension worth a reported $12 million. Then there’s Mike Gillislee, signed to an offer sheet worth $6.4 million over two years.