Jeremy Hill wants to be on fast track with New England Patriots

Running back Jeremy Hill said he didn't waste much time after the New England Patriots showed interest in him as a free agent.

"Before free agency started and kind of after a few days of free agency, their name never got mentioned once," Hill said. "Then I got a call saying they wanted me on a visit and I jumped on a plane as quick as I could. I'm excited about the opportunity that they have here for me."

That opportunity also features a crowded backfield, but Hill insists he's not worried.

"Obviously, those guys have played in Super Bowls and played at high levels and played big in playoff games, so the competition is definitely there, but I have all the faith in myself to go out there and compete at a high level, as well," Hill said. "It'll only bring the best out of all of us. I think that's how we want to approach every day, just playing at a high level, all of us and only good things can come from that."

The Patriots selected Sony Michel out of Georgia with the second of their two first-round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft. Michel and Hill join a backfield that consists of James White, Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead, Hill's former teammate with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Hill's playing time significantly dipped after the Bengals selected fellow running back Joe Mixon in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Hill's season came to an end after he elected to have ankle surgery in November.

The 25-year-old Hill's time with the Bengals began with promise, as he rushed for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns during his rookie season after being selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Hill followed that up with 11 touchdowns in 2015, but was limited to just 37 rushes for 116 yards while playing in seven games this past season.

"I just wasn't myself," Hill said of his last two seasons with the Bengals. "I really didn't have the flexibility and the strength in it that I needed to be the back that I wanted to be, so I'm glad that I got it done and I can get it back to 100 percent and be the back that I know I can be."

Hill carried the ball 704 times for 2,873 yards and 29 touchdowns during his time in Cincinnati.