The New England Patriots experienced their fair share of adversity at the running back position this season, dealing with many injuries. However, with Rhamondre Stevenson’s in-season turnaround, New England battled through its struggles in the run game. It may have just flipped the script on his future with the franchise, as he is still the best running back on the roster, too.
Going back to the beginning of the season, Stevenson had fumbled three times by Week 5, two of which happened during Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although Stevenson had just three fumbles this season, his 17 fumbles since 2021 are tied for the most in the NFL, and his nine fumbles lost are tied for the second-most in that span.
On account of Stevenson’s reputation for being loose with the ball as a runner, fans and media alike clamored for him to be released over being too great a liability. However, head coach Mike Vrabel knew that Stevenson was poised to be a workhorse in the run game, and he’s an exceptional pass blocker, by far the best at his position. Vrabel just had to continue believing in him, and that’s what he did.
Over New England's last six regular-season games, Stevenson totaled 500 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns. He continued that trend in the postseason, averaging 93.4 scrimmage yards per game, with 64.7 rushing yards and 28.7 receiving yards. He is the bellcow of the backfield, and this playoff run proved it.
Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson had an impressive regular season, but he hasn’t shown up in the playoffs, which Stevenson has taken full advantage of. Throughout the playoffs thus far, Henderson has only 24 rushing attempts compared to the 51 given to Stevenson. In the AFC Championship Game alone, Henderson had only three attempts to Stevenson’s 25.
Rhamondre Stevenson Has Rewritten His Future with the Patriots
Stevenson has reestablished himself as the No. 1 option in New England’s backfield entering the Super Bowl, and could maintain that role moving into next season based on his play on Feb. 8. In the 2024 offseason, he signed a four-year, $36 million contract extension that’ll keep him in New England through the 2028 season. Stevenson’s contract is currently the sixth-highest in the NFL based on contract value, according to Spotrac.
The expectations for Henderson in his rookie season might have been too high if the intention was for him to be the starter. Given how things have gone, Henderson might be best used as part of a committee, like he was in college, and Stevenson is the perfect running mate to share that role with.
Stevenson is one of two players remaining from the Patriots’ 2021 draft class. He’s been through the ups and downs with the franchise. He’s led the offense in rushing and receiving during his career, and he currently ranks fifth in franchise history with 3,669 rushing yards and ninth all time in rushing touchdowns with 28. From a statistical perspective alone, the case can be made that Stevenson is on pace to be the next great Patriots running back.
Although it was a slow start for Stevenson this season, it’s fair to say he proved to Vrabel that he’s a legitimate running back who can handle a workhorse-type workload in the NFL.