The trade deadline has come and gone and after failing to make a deal, the New England Patriots will have to make do with what they have in their backfield. Rhamondre Stevenson has been underwhelming, and TreVeyon Henderson has failed to supplant him as the lead back while the team marches into the second half of the season with a 7-2 record.
The latest chapter in the Patriots’ backfield drama came when Terrell Jennings saw extended work in New England’s win over the Atlanta Falcons and his performance drew praise from Mike Vrabel that should put everyone in the RB room on notice.
“[He] has run hard [and] has been ready for his opportunity,” Vrabel said via Sleeper’s Carlos A. Lopez. “I thought he spelled TreVeyon well. I thought they were able to keep some snaps of TreVeyon and when we needed him…Terrell is taking advantage of his opportunities. He’s tasted it now and doesn’t want to give it up.”
Mike Vrabel Makes It Clear That No Job is Safe in Patriots Backfield
Vrabel’s comments are a warning shot to the rest of the Patriots running backs. Stevenson has been the starter in the first year of a four-year, $36 million contract extension but his fumbling issues and mediocre production (279 rushing yards, 3 TD) have put him on the hot seat throughout the season.
When Stevenson missed the win over the Falcons with a toe injury, Henderson stepped in with a career-high 14 carries and four receptions for 32 yards. But his production on the ground was disappointing, with 55 yards rushing, and left the door open for someone else to be the bellcow.
In that scenario, Jennings may be the shark in the water. Jennings didn’t have top-shelf production, carrying the ball 11 times for 35 yards and a touchdown plus a 9-yard reception against the Falcons. But he also didn’t make any major mistakes and drew more praise from Vrabel for his work in pass protection.
Henderson and Stevenson have basically been in each other’s way as Vrabel has tried to figure out his backfield this year. But if one of them doesn’t emerge, Jennings has shown enough to make it a three-man committee. It may not sound as worrying as if the Patriots swung a big deal for Alvin Kamara or Breece Hall, but it still has a threat as New England’s backfield tries to lead it to its first playoff appearance since the 2021 season.