{"id":15858,"date":"2018-02-24T20:56:11","date_gmt":"2018-02-25T01:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=15858"},"modified":"2018-07-02T13:56:36","modified_gmt":"2018-07-02T17:56:36","slug":"patriots-re-sign-brandon-bolden-to-one-year-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2018\/02\/24\/patriots-re-sign-brandon-bolden-to-one-year-contract\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots Re-Sign Brandon Bolden To One-Year Contract"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brandon Bolden is returning to the New England Patriots<\/strong><\/a> for a seventh season.<\/p>\n

In news first reported<\/a> by ESPN’s Field Yates on Saturday , Bolden signed a one-year contract extension for $880,000.<\/p>\n

Bolden, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012, has spent most of the last two seasons on special teams after coming into the league as a running back. This past season, Bolden was with the kickoff coverage, kickoff return, punt coverage and punt return units, recording eight special teams tackles.<\/p>\n

From 2012-2015, Bolden had over 200 carries with six touchdowns. In 2017, Bolden recorded just 13 carries for 67 yards but did score a touchdown during the Patriots AFC Divisional round victory over the Tennessee Titans.<\/p>\n

In August 2017<\/a>, head coach Bill Belichick spoke highly<\/a> of Bolden’s contributions to the franchise over the years;<\/p>\n

\u201cBrandon\u2019s played for us on all three downs. He\u2019s played on early downs, he\u2019s played in sub situations. He\u2019s a smart player, has a good set of skills, He can run, he can catch, he can pass protect. He\u2019s given us a lot of production and leadership in the kicking game.”<\/p>\n

\u201cHe does a good job in the room \u2013 whether it be in the running back room or the special teams room \u2013 of being prepared, helping out the younger guys,\u201d Belichick continued. \u201cHe\u2019s a good communicator, so things on the punt team, punt return where things can happen pretty fast and you need to make some adjustments \u2013 he\u2019s good with that. Very good in blitz pickup, and in his understanding of the passing game. He\u2019s a four-down player \u2013 three-down offensive player with versatility in the kicking game and all different phases.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Bolden back in the fold for 2018, he adds depth to a thin running back group with James White, as Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead enter free agency.<\/p>\n