Develin gets 2-year extension with Patriots
Pro Bowl fullback James Develin agreed to a twoyear contract extension with the New England Patriots Thursday.
The Boyertown graduate and Gilbertsville native reached a deal worth $3.8 million that includes a $600,000 signing bonus, according to ESPN reports.
Develin has found a home in New England after a long, winding journey in professional football. He enters his sixth season – two that ended with Super Bowl championships – with the Patriots after earning his first career trip to the Pro Bowl last season for the AFC champions.
The 6-3, 255-pound Develin is primarily a run-creating blocker and special teams force but has become a key piece in different formations for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and quarterback Tom Brady.
“Nobody works harder than James,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in the week leading up the Patriots facing the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII in February. “Worked his way from the practice squad to the roster. James is a smart guy, he’s a tough kid. He’s worked himself into a very significant role for us on special teams and on offense. He’s one of our most dependable players. He’s so consistent and tough, durable and makes good decisions on all the things he’s involved in. He’s been a real solid guy for us. Really, it’s just been a steady day-by-day, week-byweek, year-by-year progression. He just seems to get better every time he does something.”
Last offseason, Develin signed a two-year contract with a maximum value of $2.85 million as an unrestricted free agent. He was scheduled to earn a base salary of $800,000 in 2018, with $300,000 in roster bonuses and $200,000 in incentives.
Develin, who played on the defensive line at Brown University, initially played professionally for the Florida Tuskers in the United Football League and the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of the Arena Football League in 2010 before joining the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad in November of that year. He had made the transition from defensive line to fullback with the Tuskers. Develin was signed to the Patriots practice squad on Sept. 1, 2012 after being released by the Bengals a day earlier.