LeGarrette Blount to Patriots: Latest Contract Details, Analysis and Reaction

LeGarrette Blount has worn out his welcome in two of his three NFL stops. The New England Patriots will hope his midseason release from the Pittsburgh Steelers finally serves as a wake-up call. The Patriots announced the deal on Thursday:

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The New England Patriots announced that they have signed free agent RB LeGarrette Blount. Blount, who spent the 2013 season with New England, signed with Pittsburgh on March 28, 2014, as unrestricted free agent and released by Pittsburgh on Nov. 18.

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The Patriots and the veteran running back agreed on a deal two days after the Steelers let him go. Tom Curran of CSNNE.com first reported the news: 

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora confirmed Curran's report and gave his thoughts on how Blount would be used:

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LeGarrette Blount is headed back to the Patriots, according to a league source. The big back is set to sign a new two-year contract after clearing waivers on Wednesday.

The former Pat, released this week by Pittsburgh, can help fill a void with New England suffering from some injuries in the backfield. Blount's bruising style allows him to be a fill-in for Jonas Gray, who had a breakout performance against the Colts in Week 11.

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Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald provided financial details for the contract:

Blount, 27, was released following Pittsburgh's Week 11 win over the Tennessee Titans, due in large part to his increasingly bad attitude off the field.

Steelers defensive assistant Joey Porter reportedly saw Blount attempting to leave the locker room early multiple times after the game. The team released him the following Tuesday, with a majority of teammates publicly indicating they were more than fine with the decision.

"If you don't want to be here, don't be here," Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey told reporters. "He had a decision to make as a man, and he made it. You know the consequences."

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Blount was in the first season of a two-year, $3.85 million contract he signed with the Steelers this offseason. Brought in to be Le'Veon Bell's primary backup following a stellar stretch of play with New England in 2013, Blount never made much of an impact.

He had 266 yards and two touchdowns on 65 carries in the Steelers' first 10 games and was being phased out of the offense. He did not receive a carry or make a reception against Tennessee, with Bell rushing for 204 yards on 33 carries. The Steelers were still required to pay Blount's 2014 salary as a veteran who was on the roster in Week 1, but their decision to release him regardless indicated some behind-the-scenes friction.

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Blount's football career has been fraught with turmoil dating back to his days at the University of Oregon. He was suspended multiple times by then-coach Mike Bellotti for violations of team rules, and then, he reached a national level of infamy after punching Boise State defensive player Byron Hout in 2009. Although eventually reinstated, the incident cost Blount his draft stock and began a career filled with head-scratching incidents.

Blount clashed multiple times with the coaching staff in Tampa Bay, an organization that plucked him from the undrafted realm and turned him into a 1,000-yard rusher. The Buccaneers eventually moved on in favor of Doug Martin, sending him to New England before the 2013 season.

Like many malcontents, it appeared Blount finally got his act back together under Bill Belichick. He rushed for 772 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry, and he had a 166-yard, four-touchdown game against the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs.

Blount fits well with a Patriots squad in need of running back depth. The only healthy back who began the season on New England's roster is Shane Vereen, although Jonas Gray had a breakout performance in Week 11. Blount and Gray could combine to form quite a powerful backfield duo, and when paired with Vereen's open-field explosiveness, he gives the Pats both depth and balance. 

Those glimpses of excellence are what make teams continue to give Blount chances. If he ruins this one, though, it might be his last.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.