James Robinson News

The New England Patriots are signing running back James Robinson to a two-year, $8 million contract. Robinson was traded from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the New York Jets last season and then finished the year as a healthy scratch. Turning 25 in August, Robinson will look to get his career back on track as a contributing piece behind Rhamondre Stevenson. Damien Harris is an unrestricted free agent. Robinson rushed 110 times for 425 yards and 3 touchdowns in 11 games last season, and caught 11 passes (14 targets) for 51 yards and 2 touchdowns. Among the 42 backs with at least 100 carries, Robinson averaged the fifth-fewest Rushing Net Expected Points per attempt.

Robinson's deal can be worth up to $8 million with incentives. After bursting onto the scene with 1,847 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns across his first two seasons with the Jaguars, Robinson struggled during an injury riddled 2022 campaign, mustering just 425 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in 11 appearances between the Jaguars and Jets. He tore his Achilles late in 2021 and battled a knee injury in 2022, but the Patriots are hoping that Robinson will regain his pre-injury form while contributing to a backfield led by Rhamondre Stevenson.

The New York Jets have allowed running back James Robinson to become an unrestricted free agent on Friday. Robinson will head into free agency after the Jets declined to give the 24-year old a tender. Expect Robinson to receive interest in backup role after he ranked 54th among running backs last season with a 59.7 Pro Football Focus offensive rating. On 110 rushing attempts last season, Robinson accounted for 425 yards and 3 touchdowns, 12 forced missed tackles, nine explosive runs, and 2.44 yards after contact per attempt.

After coming over from Jacksonville in an October trade, Robinson didn't make much of an impact with his new team, en route to finishing the 2022 season with 110 carries for 425 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 11 catches for 51 yards and a pair of receiving scores in 11 games split between the Jaguars and Jets. Now that he's further removed from an Achilles injury that he sustained in Week 16 of the 2021 season, the 24-year-old looming free agent will now have an opportunity to bolster another team's backfield.

Robinson got off to a strong start in Jacksonville with four scrimmage touchdowns through three games, but he struggled the rest of the season while battling a sore knee and was consistently inactive due to coach's decisions down the stretch with the Jets. The 24-year-old running back will be a restricted free agent this offseason, but New York may not have much interest in retaining Robinson's services given his poor play after being acquired in a midseason trade. Robinson had 22 scrimmage touchdowns in his first 31 NFL games prior to the drastic downturn, so some team will likely take a chance on him in 2023, even if the Jets don't.

Robinson continues to be the odd man out in the Jets' backfield, with Zonovan Knight and Michael Carter on track to lead the team's rushing attack Sunday, while Ty Johnson is on hand in a reserve capacity.