TreVeyon Henderson may no longer be the starter in New England, but make no mistake - the rookie running back is still making his presence felt. Even with Rhamondre Stevenson back in the lead role, Henderson continues to show why he’s one of the most exciting young players on the Patriots roster. Monday night’s performance against the Giants was just the latest example.
Henderson didn’t get the bulk of the carries, but when his number was called, he made it count. He ran with purpose - sharp cuts, quick acceleration, and the kind of burst that turns a routine handoff into a chunk play.
His final line: 11 carries for 67 yards, including three runs of 10+ yards and four missed tackles forced. That’s not just efficient - that’s electric.
And in a Patriots offense still searching for rhythm, especially in the run game, Henderson brings a different gear. He’s the kind of back who can flip the field, swing momentum, and spark a drive when things feel stagnant. That’s not just valuable - it’s essential, especially for a team trying to build consistency in a transitional season.
There was some early speculation about how the coaching staff viewed Henderson once Stevenson returned from injury. After all, Stevenson was immediately reinserted as the starter. But if you were wondering whether that meant the staff wasn’t sold on the rookie, Mike Vrabel’s comments should put that idea to rest.
During Monday night’s broadcast, ESPN’s Joe Buck relayed a telling quote from Vrabel. The Patriots head coach, not one to throw around comparisons lightly, had this to say about Henderson: *“I’m not big into comparisons.
I don’t like comparisons. But, when I watch TreVeyon Henderson run, the player in today’s game that jumps into my mind is Jahmyr Gibbs.”
That’s not just a compliment - that’s a statement. Gibbs, now in his third season with the Lions, has become one of the most dynamic dual-threat backs in the league. If Vrabel sees shades of that in Henderson, it speaks volumes about what the Patriots believe they have in their rookie.
No, Henderson’s numbers aren’t on Gibbs’ level yet - and that’s okay. He’s still early in his development, still adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL.
But the flashes are there. The vision, the balance, the acceleration - it’s all showing up on tape.
And if he keeps producing in limited opportunities, the conversation about who should be the lead back in New England is only going to get louder.
It’s not hard to see where this could be headed. Stevenson is a proven back, but Henderson brings a different kind of juice.
He’s the home-run threat. The spark plug.
The guy who can turn a broken play into a highlight. And in a league that increasingly values explosive plays, that’s a skill set you can’t afford to keep on the sidelines for long.
If this trajectory continues, Vrabel’s comparison might end up looking more like a forecast than a compliment. And for a player who wasn’t expected to be a major contributor this early, that’s an exciting development - not just for Henderson, but for a Patriots offense that’s quietly building something for the future.