Brandon Bolden

Brandon Bolden was signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent from Miami on March 14, 2019 ...Originally signed by New England as a rookie free agent (5/10/12) ... Re-signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent on (4/5/17) ... Released by New England (9/2/17) ... Signed by New England as a free agent (9/4/17) ... Released by New England (9/1/18) ... Signed by Miami as a free agent (9/5/18).

​CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Brandon Bolden was signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent from Miami on March 14, 2019 ...Originally signed by New England as a rookie free agent (5/10/12) ... Re-signed by the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent on (4/5/17) ... Released by New England (9/2/17) ... Signed by New England as a free agent (9/4/17) ... Released by New England (9/1/18) ... Signed by Miami as a free agent (9/5/18).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 2021 marks Bolden's eighth season with the Patriots. Bolden joined Lonie Paxton (9), Stephen Neal (8), Mike Wright (7) and Ryan Wendell (7) as the only players to play seven-plus seasons under Bill Belichick after originally entering the NFL as a rookie free agent.

SEASONAL REVIEWS

2021 (13/1)

• Served as a kickoff returner and a reserve running back in the season-opener vs. Miami (9/12).
• Saw limited action on special teams at N.Y. Jets (9/19).
• Had a significant role on offense vs. New Orleans (9/26) after RB James White went down with an injury. Caught three balls for 23 yards while often helping in pass protection.
• Finished with six receptions for 51 yards vs. Tampa Bay (10/3). The six receptions tied his career-high. He had 6 receptions at Cincinnati on Oct. 6, 2013. His 51 receiving yards are second to the 84 yards he had at Denver on Nov. 29, 2015.
• Had a 24-yard run on the team's final drive in the fourth quarter at Houston (10/10) that helped set up Nick Folk's game-winning field goal.
• Played in a limited capacity vs. Dallas (10/17) with one rush and one catch on the day.
• Scored his first touchdown of the 2021 season vs. N.Y. Jets (10/24) when he caught a 15-yard pass from QB Mac Jones in the second quarter. Bolden finished with 6 receptions for a team-high 79 yards. The 6 receptions tied a career-high mark and the 79 receiving yards are second to the 84 he had at Denver on Nov. 29, 2015.
• Carried the ball four times for 26 yards at L.A. Chargers (10/31).
• Made his first start of the 2021 season at Carolina (11/7), which was his first start since Nov. 17, 2019 at Philadelphia.
• Caught two passes for 27 yards to set a career-high with 22 receptions on the season. His 27 yards gives him 189 total in 2021, a new single-season high as well. Bolden rushed eight times for 54 yards on the day and added one
• special teams tackle off a kickoff in the third quarter.
• Ran the ball three times for 32 yards vs. Cleveland (11/14) to go with three catches for 38 yards.
• Caught four passes out of the backfield for 54 yards vs. Tennessee (11/28).
• Ran the ball four times for 28 yards at Buffalo (12/6) and added one special teams tackle.

2020 (0/0)

• Exercised his Reserve/Opt-Out decision and did not play this season.

2019 (15/2, 1/0)

• Played in 15 regular-season games with two starts at running back and totaled 15 rushing attempts for 68 yards and three touchdowns. Also caught nine passes for 111 yards and one score. His four touchdowns set a new career high. Key contributor on special teams, returned 23 kickoffs for 515 yards, marking the first time in his career he was utilized as a kick returner. Also posted eight special teams tackles and blocked one punt that was returned for a touchdown.
• Appeared as a reserve in the Wild Card Playoff vs. Tennessee (1/4). Did not accrue any statistics.
• Was inactive for the victory at Miami (9/15) due to injury.
• Contributed on special teams with one tackle while also handling kickoff return duties for the first time in his career, totaling 35 return yards on two kickoff returns in the win vs. Pittsburgh (9/8).
• Scored his first rushing touchdown with the Patriots since 2014 on a 4-yard score in the first quarter, his lone carry of the day, during the win at Buffalo (9/29). Also added a special teams tackle and returned two kicks for 43 yards.
• Scored for the second week in a row when he hauled in a 29-yard touchdown reception, while also rushing five times for 13 yards in the victory at Washington (10/6).
• Scored a touchdown for the third straight week when he scored on a 1-yard run in the second quarter of the win vs. N.Y. Giants (10/10), tying his career high for touchdowns in a season. Finished with three carries for 23 yards and two receptions for 22 yards, while also returning a kickoff 28 yards. Was also credited with a blocked punt that was recovered by DL Chase Winovich for a touchdown.
• Carried the ball once on offense, scoring on a 10-yard touchdown rush in the loss vs. Kansas City (12/8). The touchdown run gave Bolden four total touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) on the season and set a new career- high. Bolden also matched his career-high from 2013 with his third rushing touchdown on the season. Also returned four kicks for 76 yards.

2018 (16/0 – Miami)

• Went to training camp with New England and was released prior to the start of the regular season. Joined the Dolphins on Sept. 5 and appeared in all 16 games. Produced eight rushing attempts for 91 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 13 yards and one score. Contributed heavily on special teams, making six total tackles.
• Had his most productive offensive game for the Dolphins in a win vs. New England (12/9), two rushing attempts for 60 yards and two touchdowns, including a 54-yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter.
• Caught one pass for a 4-yard touchdown vs. Jacksonville (12/23).

2017 (16/0, 3/0)

• Played in all 16 regular-season games as a reserve, contributing mainly on special teams. Totaled 13 rushing attempts for 67 yards (5.2 avg.) and caught one pass for 7 yards. Tied for second on the team with a career-high eight special teams tackles.
• Appeared in all three postseason contests as a reserve and registered four rushing attempts for 27 yards (6.8 avg.) and his first career playoff touchdown.
• Contributed on special teams, tying for the team-lead in special teams tackles with two in the victory vs. Houston (9/24).
• Saw limited snaps on offense but carried the ball four times for 27 yards, including his first-career postseason touchdown on a 2-yard run in the third quarter of the Divisional Playoff win vs. Tennessee (1/13). Also contributed on special teams units.

2016 (14/0, 3/0)

• Played in 14 regular-season games, mainly on special teams, and totaled four tackles and one forced fumble on special teams. Rushed once for 4 yards and caught two passes for 15 yards on offense.
• Appeared as a reserve in all three playoff games and made one tackle on special teams and assisted on another.
• Was inactive due to injury at Cleveland (10/9) and vs. Cincinnati (10/16).
• Played mostly on special teams and rushed one time for 4 yards in the win at Arizona (9/11).
• Forced a fumble on a first quarter kickoff that was recovered by Duron Harmon at the 22-yard line to set up a touchdown run by Jacoby Brissett to mark his third career forced fumble on a kickoff in the win vs. Houston (9/22).
• Saw time on special teams and at running back where he caught two passes for 15 yards vs. Buffalo (10/2).
• Recorded one special teams tackle in the Super Bowl LI win vs. Atlanta (2/5) that pinned the Falcons at their own 11-yard line with 57 seconds left in regulation.

2015 (15/2, 2/1)

• Played in 15 regular-season games with two starts and posted 63 rushing attempts for 207 yards (3.3 avg.) and compiled 19 receptions for 180 yards (9.5 avg.) and the first two receiving touchdowns of his career.
• Also contributed as a core member of the special teams units, where he made one tackle.
• Appeared in both playoff games with one start and rushed for 12 yards on five carries (2.4 avg.). Also caught three passes for 26 yards (8.7 avg.).
• Was inactive for one game due to injury vs. N.Y. Jets (10/25).
• Contributed on special teams in the win at Indianapolis (10/18). Assisted in the tackle on a Colts fake punt attempt, earning credit for his first career defensive tackle.
• Saw increased playing time after an injury to Dion Lewis in the third quarter vs. Washington (11/8). Rushed once for 12 yards and caught three passes for 27 yards, including an 18-yard score that marked the first touchdown reception of his career.
• Rushed four times for 11 yards and caught four passes for 84 yards at Denver (11/29), including a 63-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that marks the longest reception of his career.
• Rushed 16 times for 51 yards at Houston (12/13) after an injury to LeGarrette Blount in the second quarter increased his workload.
• Made his first start of the season at running back in the win vs. Tennessee (12/20), rushing 10 times for 35 yards and caught two passes for 18 yards.
• Made his second career postseason start at running back and made two special teams tackles in the playoff victory vs. Kansas City (1/16).​

2014 (16/2, 3/1)

• Played on special teams and as a backup running back in the Super Bowl XLIX win vs. Seattle (2/1/15).
• Contributed on special teams in the AFC Championship win vs. Indianapolis (1/18/15).
• Made his first career postseason start in the AFC Divisional win vs. Baltimore (1/10/15), carrying three times for seven yards, catching one pass for 11 yards and posting one special teams tackle.
• Started at running back and carried five times for 15 yards and had one special teams stop vs. Buffalo (12/28).
• Carried five times for 32 yards and contributed on special teams in the win at N.Y. Jets (12/21).
• Contributed on special teams in the win vs. Miami (12/14).
• Blocked his first NFL punt in the second quarter of the win at San Diego (12/7) to give the Patriots a first down at the Chargers 25-yard line. It was the Patriots' first blocked punt since 2010.
• Made his first start of the season and the third start of his career at Green Bay (11/30), finishing with three carries for 17 yards and one touchdown. His six-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was his first of the season and the sixth of his career.
• Posted one special teams tackle in both of the wins vs. Chicago (10/26) and vs. Denver (11/2).
• Was a reserve at running back and on special teams in the win vs. N.Y. Jets (10/16), catching one pass for four yards.
• Was a reserve at running back and on special teams in the win at Buffalo (10/12), rushing six times for 10 yards.
• Played on special teams and was a reserve at running back in the win vs. Cincinnati (10/5), finishing with one rush for three yards and two special teams tackles. Forced a fumble on a third-quarter kickoff that Kyle Arrington returned nine yards for a touchdown.
• Was a reserve at running back and on special teams in the first four games of the season, rushing eight times for 12 yards and catching one pass for four yards.

2013 (11/2, 2/0)

• Played in 12 regular-season games with two starts and compiled 271 yards on 55 carries and three touchdowns. Also caught 21 passes for 152 yards.
• Appeared as a reserve in both playoff games.
• Was inactive for four games - the first two contests of the year and at Carolina (11/18) due to injury and was a healthy scratch vs. Cleveland (12/8).
• Made his season debut and first career start vs. Tampa Bay (9/22) and compiled 100 total yards on offense. Rushed three times for 51 yards, including a career-long 46 yard gain and caught five passes for 49 yards.
• Started and rushed eight times for 36 yards at N.Y. Jets (10/20) and his first touchdown of the season. Also caught one pass for 7 yards.
• Compiled 22 yards on eight rushes and a third-quarter touchdown vs. Miami (10/27). Also caught two passes for 7 yards.
• Led the team with 13 rushes for 58 yards and a touchdown vs. Denver (11/24). Also caught one pass for 11 yards.

2012 (10/0, 2/0)

• Played in 10 regular season games and missed four games due to an NFL suspension. Finished with 56 carries for 274 yards (4.9 avg) and two touchdowns.
• Appeared as a reserve in both playoff contests.
• Was inactive due to injury at St. Louis (10/28) and vs. NY Jets (10/21).
• Compiled 137 yards on 16 carries (8.6 avg) and a touchdown for the first 100-yard rushing game of his career at Buffalo (9/30). Bolden and Stevan Ridley (106 yards) became the first Patriots running back duo to eclipse 100 yards rushing in the same game since Nov. 23, 1980 at Baltimore Colts when Don Calhoun (106) and Vagas Ferguson (100) each went over 100 yards rushing. Also caught one pass for 11 yards. Earned Fed-Ex NFL Ground Player of the Week for his efforts. His 8.6 yard-per carry average is tied for the third-highest ever in a single game for the Patriots among running backs with at least 15 rushing attempts.
• Gained 54 yards on 14 carries (3.9 avg) vs. Denver (10/7) as part of a rushing attack that eclipsed 200 yards in back-to-back games for the first time since 1978.
• Rushed for four yards on two carries (2.0 avg) including his first NFL touchdown at Baltimore (9/23).
• Made his NFL debut and rushed for 11 yards on five carries (2.2 avg) in the season-opening win at Tennessee (9/9).

COLLEGE

• Finished career ranked second in school in history in total touchdowns (33) and rushing touchdowns (27), third in all-purpose yards (3,681) and fourth in rushing yards (2,604).
• Played in 10 games with four starts as a senior in 2011, totaling 96 carries for 462 yards (4.8 avg) and four touchdowns while serving as team captain.
• Earned Associated Press All-SEC Honorable Mention honors as a junior after playing in all 12 games with 11 starts and tying the school's single-season record for total touchdowns (17) and rushing touchdowns (14) and finishing fifth in the SEC in rushing (81.3 ypg).
• Appeared in all 13 games with eight starts as a sophomore, registering 129 carries for 614 yards (4.8 avg) and four touchdowns and 20 receptions for 209 yards (10.5 avg) and one touchdown.
• Played in all 13 games as a freshman, amassing 542 rushing yards, five touchdowns rushing and one touchdown receiving.

PERSONAL

• Bolden's grandfather, Frank Pitts, played 10 years in the NFL, as a receiver for the Chiefs, Browns, and Raiders. He was with Kansas City for two Super Bowls, losing Super Bowl I and winning Super Bowl IV.
• Brandon and his wife, Arianna, have a son, Brycen and two daughters, Axelle and Aviana.

HONORS AND AWARDS

• 2012: FedEx Ground Player of the Week (Week 4).

EXTRA POINTS

• Bolden's grandfather, Frank Pitts, played 10 years in the NFL, as a receiver for the Chiefs, Browns, and Raiders. He was with Kansas City for two Super Bowls, losing Super Bowl I and winning Super Bowl IV. Those are two games Bolden, quite proudly, has become familiar with. Very familiar. "I remember being 6 years old, him popping in a highlight film of Super Bowl I and IV. I've seen that tape, I'm 22 now, I've seen that tape at least 500 times," Bolden said. "He's great, been pretty much my role model since forever. He'll call me at the end of the game and tell me everything I did wrong. He's my toughest critic, and I think that rubbed off on me."