Fan-Favorite Patriots Running Back Officially Retiring

Former New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday in a statement posted on Twitter/X. The 33-year-old running back spent 10 years in the NFL, including four with the Patriots.

Burkhead joined New England in 2017 after playing the first four years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, who drafted him in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. 

With the Patriots, the 5-foot-10 running back was effective on the ground but also dynamic in the passing game. The most receiving yards Burkhead had in a single season with the Pats happened in 2019 (27 receptions for 279 yards). 

Coincidentally, the most rushing yards that Burkhead had in New England was also in 2019 (302 yards and three touchdowns on 65 carries).

However, the versatile running back scored eight total touchdowns in his first season with the Patriots, which led to the team re-signing him for another three years.

The former Nebraska Cornhuskers running back ended his pro career with the Houston Texans, where he played for the 2021 and ‘22 seasons. 

Burkhead didn’t put up gaudy numbers over his career but won a Super Bowl in 2018 when the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. 

Offense was at a premium in that game, but Burkhead had 58 total yards on nine touches. The veteran running back scored three postseason touchdowns in his Patriots, which all happened in 2018.

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