The surprising Danny Woodhead story in New England will last a few more seasons.
Ian Rapaport of the Boston Herald reports that Woodhead signed a contract extension with the team through 2012. The deal was actually completed before last week’s win over the Colts.
The diminutive former Jet appears to be the heir apparent to Kevin Faulk on third downs in New England. He received a $425,000 signing bonus to go with $550,000 in 2011 and $700,000 in 2012. He can earn a possible $1.175 million in playing time incentives between 2011-2012.
For Woodhead, the deal adds a measure of pre-CBA financial security. When he was released by the Jets, his future in the NFL looked highly uncertain.
For the Patriots, the team gets a valuable role player at a cheap price before his production warranted even more money. (Woodhead has 529 yards this year, including 22 catches.) Faulk is a free agent and seems a lot less likely to be back with the team now.