Two weeks ago, Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson said he felt close to receiving a contract extension.

That deal arrived Thursday.

Stevenson and the Patriots agreed to a 4-year, $36 million extension with $17 million guaranteed, a source confirmed to the Herald. The 26-year-old is one of the Patriots’ best players and had been heading into a contract year. Before an ankle injury cut his season short, Stevenson was tracking to lead the team in rushing for a second straight season.

Last year, Stevenson rushed for 619 yards and a team-high four touchdowns over a dozen games. The season before, he emerged as one of the NFL’s top backs, with 1,040 rushing yards, five touchdowns and a team-leading 69 catches. Stevenson, a fourth-round pick in 2021, proved to be the Patriots’ most dangerous back as a rookie, forcing then starter Damien Harris into a reserve role the following season.

Developing …