Report: Patriots sign Dion Lewis to 2-year extension

The New England Patriots have signed running back Dion Lewis to a two-year extension that will keep him under contract with the club through the 2017 season, reports Field Yates of ESPN.

Lewis joined the Patriots this season without any expectations surrounding his level of production, as injury issues had both limited his early-career impact and saw him remain unsigned for the entire 2014 campaign.

A strong training camp and preseason effort saw him earn a role as the top passing-game back, and he's since emerged as a reliable playmaker within the Patriots' high-powered attack.

Lewis recorded an impressive 15 receptions for 179 yards through three weeks to start the 2015 season, also adding another 149 yards and two touchdowns in the ground game.

The new deal, according to Yates' report, includes a $600,000 signing bonus, base salaries of $800,000 in 2016 and $1.2 million in 2017, as well as the potential to earn up to $1.8 million in incentives over that span.