Rex Burkhead Restructures Contract With Patriots, Takes Pay Cut To Free Cap Space

Robert Alvarez

3 years ago at 1:15 pm ET

Mark Konezny - USA TODAY Sports

In a report first announced by ESPN’s Field Yates on Tuesday, New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead had the final year of his three-year contract restructured to stay in Foxboro.

According to Yates, Burkhead will get $550,000 to sign the new deal, but his base salary will drop from $2.5 million to $1.05 million in 2020.

In March 2017, Burkhead agreed to a one-year contract with the Patriots worth up to $3.15 million. A year later, he signed a three-year contract extension.

Needing more cap space flexibility, Burkhead accepting a pay cut saves the Patriots nearly $1 million (approx $981,250)

Before today’s restructure Rex Burkhead had the 14th highest cap number on the Patriots. Now has the 17th.

— Cap Space=$1,244,739 (@patscap) July 8, 2020

Sports Illustrated’s Devon Clements has the updated total cap numbers courtesy of team cap expert Miguel Benzan.

In three seasons as a Patriot, Burkhead has become a favorite of head coach Bill Belichick in an already deep depth chart at running back.

Last fall, Belichick referred to Burkhead as “one of the most versatile players on our team.”

In 31 career regular season games since signing in 2017, Burkhead has 752 rushing yards and eight touchdowns along with 71 receptions for 664 yards and four touchdowns.

Burkhead also has seen action on special teams for kickoffs, kick returns, punts and punt returns.

“Rex has been a solid player for us,” coach Bill Belichick said in December. “He does a lot of things well — plays in the kicking game, plays on all four downs, catches the ball, blocks, runs, gets tough yards, can make plays out in space. I think he’s always been like that.”