Last week, the New England Patriots signed RB Antonio Gibson to a three-year $11.25 million contract with a max value of $17.25 million. The Patriots could get out next year to save less than a million on the cap or in 2026, which would save $3.5 million before Gibson’s age-28 season. The Patriots added Gibson to an RB room with Rhamondre Stevenson, Kevin Harris, Ja’Mycal Hasty, and Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and he is currently expected to be the second RB on the depth chart.

There is no doubt that Stevenson managers, optimistic he would retain a larger share of the 2024 workload, are nonplussed. Gibson managers are running out of hope.

BUT HAVE YOU HEARD HE WAS A WR IN COLLEGE?

Gibson was primarily a collegiate WR at Memphis but was frequently used in the running game. His 6-foot-2-inch, 220-pound frame made him an imposing YAC guy—think C-USA Deebo Samuel—and he was also their kick returner. Washington drafted him in the third round with the 66th overall pick in 2020, and they stated their intention was always to use him as an RB.

By the end of 2020, he was operating as the team’s starting RB, a role he filled throughout 2021. By 2022, however, he was benched in favor of then-rookie Brain Robinson Jr., and he has remained involved as a secondary backfield option ever since.

HOW DO GIBSON AND STEVENSON STACK UP?

Gibson and Stevenson are a lot alike. They are both bigger backs with relatively good power and passing game ability. Stevenson’s 2022 was either player’s best year, finishing seventh in PPR points (PPR). Gibson’s 2021 ranks second for either player, finishing eighth. Neither player has been in the RB top 12 more than once, and both players have worked as workhorses in the past, then been thrust back into committee situations where their usages declined.