Antonio Gibson totaled 744 yards from scrimmage during the 4-13 campaign.
Antonio Gibson’s first season with the New England Patriots is in the rearview mirror.
The veteran running back plans on leaving it there as the voluntary workout program gets underway.
“Not going to sugarcoat it, not what I wanted,” Gibson told reporters of 2024 during his Thursday press conference at Gillette Stadium. “But, you know, there’s always room to build and that’s the goal. We come in here, new year, looking for the positives and that’s what we’re doing. Fresh start, we’re here a week early, so we’re one week ahead of a lot of teams right now. We’re going to start from there.”
Gibson, 26, joined the Patriots on a three-year, $11.25 million contract featuring $5.3 million fully guaranteed. He proceeded to appear in every game under previous head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt on the way to finishing with a 4-13 record.
“We didn’t win,” added Gibson. “So that’s the goal this year, to win. That’s just as simple as that.”
Selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft, Gibson played in 61 games and made 32 starts during his time with the Washington Commanders. He scored 29 touchdowns while turning 642 carries into 2,643 yards, 172 catches into 1,283 yards and 35 kickoff returns into 826 yards.
A 1,000-yard rushing campaign was logged in the process. So were three consecutive campaigns with 40-plus receptions. His versatility was seen in glimpses upon arriving in Foxborough.
The former wide receiver out of East Central Community College and the University of Memphis could be in line for more under new head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
“We shall see,” Gibson, listed at 6 feet, 228 pounds, said of his flexible role. “Whatever I can do to help the team win, whatever the coaches ask me right now, that’s what I’m doing. Like I said, it’s super early, so I’m not even going to push to even go there yet. But whatever that is in the future, I’m going to do my best so that they can see that I can do that. I’ll say that. I’m going to do what I need to do right now so they can see that I’m willing and I’m able to do that.”
Gibson made three starts last season. New England’s primary kick returner saw 32.8 percent of the offensive snaps. That change-of-pace usage gave way to 538 yards across 120 carries and 206 yards across 23 catches. He had to wait until December to find the end zone despite breaking off longs of 45 and 50 yards from scrimmage.
The backfield depth chart, now overseen by assistant coach Tony Dews, moves forward with starter Rhamondre Stevenson and undrafted promotion Terrell Jennings also under contract.
“I feel like we always carry a lot of good backs,” Gibson said. “You know, just the work that we put in to show the coaches that any of us can, at any time, step on that field and get what we need to get done for the team. It starts now. That’s what we’re here for. That’s what we’re working towards. Just keep building from that, week in and week out, and that’s how we get to that one-two punch.”