The New England Patriots currently have over 90 players on the roster and will need to trim it down within the next few months. With a new coaching staff, there’s a plethora of new players, both rookies and veterans, that they’ll have to make a decision on keeping or cutting for this season.
After the NFL Draft, including signing undrafted free agents, one of the players that is on the bubble of making the roster is veteran running back Antonio Gibson.
Antonio Gibson Firmly on the Roster Bubble Ahead of OTAs
In 2024, Gibson signed a three-year contract worth $11.25 million as an unrestricted free agent, so that is a strong indicator of how Washington felt about him, considering they didn’t match the offer to retain him.
Gibson still has two years remaining on his contract and is owed $5.2 million through 2026. Last year, in his first season with New England, he finished with 120 carries for 538 yards and one touchdown. He also made 23 receptions on 29 targets for 206 total yards.
Gibson averaged 4.5 yards per attempt last season, and he proved to do well running behind lead back Rhamondre Stevenson. He’s a solid runner, follows his blocks, and doesn’t go off script. Gibson is durable and can take a hit, but he might not bring enough to the table for the new coaching regime in New England with Josh McDaniels running the offense.
That may have been proven to be true when New England drafted running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second round, one of the top three runners in the 2025 draft class, as the best pass protector, and he can create big plays for big gains, making him the most well-rounded running back in the class.
Henderson fits McDaniels’ scheme as a runner and a receiver. Pairing him with Stevenson, who is both a contact runner and a great receiver, seems to be the vision in McDaniels’ plan of creating a dynamic one-two punch in the backfield.
It’s worth mentioning that Stevenson had a strong rookie season working with McDaniels in 2021 and that he could be up for it again with his return to the team. Following the pattern of the offseason, since Stevenson has worked with McDaniels in the past, Gibson could be the odd man out of the running back room.
After the NFL Draft, New England signed a running back, Lan Larison, and a fullback, Brock Lampe, as undrafted rookie free agents. Larison finished third in the FCS in total rushing yards last season with 1,465 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. He fits the McDaniels system of being a versatile running back who can do it all.
If Gibson isn’t with New England for 2025, it’s likely because Larison made the roster over him. He can offer more than Gibson, especially as a sub back and on special teams as a potential punt returner, which Gibson’s never done in his career.
The Patriots currently have five running backs on the roster and six if you include Lampe as the fullback:
- Rhamondre Stevenson
- Antonio Gibson
- TreVeyon Henderson
- Lan Larison
- Terrell Jennings
- Brock Lampe (FB)
The one variable that Gibson has the upper hand on is that he’s a veteran. He has experience, and he knows what it’s like to get hit by a 255-pound linebacker at full speed. Other than that, he doesn’t offer anything more than what Henderson and Larison can provide.
One last note, every offense that McDaniels has led features a fullback, so it’s fair to say that Lampe is a strong lock to make the roster. It’ll all come down to how many running backs Vrabel will allow on the roster, and McDaniels will have to make a decision from there.