TreVeyon Henderson’s Role in Super Bowl LX Remains a Mystery as Patriots Lean on Stevenson
As the New England Patriots gear up for their Super Bowl LX showdown with the Seattle Seahawks, one of the biggest questions hanging over the team isn’t about the quarterback or the defense-it’s about the backfield. More specifically, what’s going on with rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson?
Henderson, who flashed serious potential during the second half of the regular season, has seen his role shrink dramatically in the playoffs. And with the biggest game of his career just days away, it’s unclear how-or even if-he’ll factor into the Patriots’ game plan.
Stevenson Takes the Reins
There’s no debate about who’s been the lead dog in New England’s backfield during this playoff run. Rhamondre Stevenson has taken the reins and isn’t showing signs of letting go.
Over the Patriots’ three postseason games, Stevenson has steadily ramped up his workload: 10 carries in the Wild Card round, 16 in the Divisional, and 25 in the AFC Championship. That’s 51 touches for 194 yards-numbers that make it clear the coaching staff trusts the veteran when the stakes are highest.
Meanwhile, Henderson has been relegated to a secondary role. He’s totaled just 24 carries for 57 yards in the postseason, and the trend line isn’t encouraging. After getting 9 carries in the Wild Card round and 12 in the Divisional, he saw just 3 in the AFC title game.
It’s a surprising shift, especially considering how the regular season ended.
From Feature Back to Afterthought
When Stevenson missed time late in the season with a toe injury, Henderson stepped up. From Week 9 through Week 18, the rookie led the team in carries in eight of nine games.
He wasn’t just a fill-in-he looked like the future. Explosive, decisive, and increasingly comfortable in the Patriots’ offense, Henderson seemed poised to carry that momentum into the playoffs.
But once the postseason arrived, the script flipped. Stevenson returned, and with him came a more conservative, veteran-driven approach in the backfield.
Even in less-than-ideal weather conditions-games that typically favor a bruising run game-Henderson saw limited action. That’s telling.
A Strategic Mystery Heading into Sunday
Now, as the Patriots prepare for the Seahawks, Henderson’s role is as uncertain as ever. Head coach Mike Vrabel has kept things tight-lipped in the lead-up to Santa Clara, even altering the team’s practice routine to keep game plans under wraps. If there’s a surprise wrinkle coming, they’re not tipping their hand.
And against a Seahawks defense that’s been one of the stingiest against the run all season-third in the league in rushing yards allowed at just 91.9 per game-New England will need to be sharp and selective with how it attacks on the ground. Seattle did give up over 100 rushing yards in each of their two playoff games (to the Rams and 49ers), but those teams used a committee approach and creative run schemes to get there.
So far, New England has stuck with Stevenson as the bellcow, and that likely won’t change unless something forces their hand.
Will Henderson Get His Moment?
There’s no doubt Henderson has the talent to make an impact. He’s shown it.
But in the biggest game of the year, with a Super Bowl title on the line, talent alone doesn’t guarantee touches. Trust, experience, and execution under pressure are what matter most-and right now, the Patriots are betting on Stevenson to deliver.
Still, football has a way of throwing curveballs. One injury, one spark, one shift in momentum, and Henderson could be thrust back into the spotlight. Until then, his role remains one of the biggest unknowns heading into Super Bowl Sunday.
And in a game where every snap matters, that uncertainty could be either a hidden weapon-or a missed opportunity.