Rhamondre Stevenson’s Redemption Arc: How the Patriots’ RB Reclaimed His Spot as the Backfield Alpha
The New England Patriots didn’t exactly have a smooth ride at running back this season. Injuries piled up, the ground game sputtered early, and questions about ball security loomed large. But through the noise and the setbacks, Rhamondre Stevenson found his footing-and may have just redefined his future in Foxborough.
Let’s rewind to the early part of the season. Stevenson was under fire, and not without reason.
He coughed up the ball three times by Week 5, including a tough two-fumble outing in Week 3 against the Steelers. And while three fumbles in a season isn’t catastrophic in a vacuum, the bigger picture told a more concerning story: Stevenson’s 17 fumbles since 2021 are tied for the most in the league, and his nine lost fumbles during that span are tied for second-most.
That kind of track record doesn’t go unnoticed-not by fans, not by the media, and certainly not by opposing defenses.
There were calls for the Patriots to move on. Some viewed Stevenson as a liability, a talented back who couldn’t be trusted when the game was on the line.
But new head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t flinch. He saw something others didn’t-or maybe he just believed that Stevenson could turn the corner.
Either way, Vrabel kept the faith, and Stevenson rewarded him in a big way.
Over the final six games of the regular season, Stevenson looked like a different player. He racked up 500 scrimmage yards and found the end zone six times.
That late-season surge carried into the playoffs, where he averaged 93.4 scrimmage yards per game-64.7 on the ground, 28.7 through the air. He wasn’t just contributing; he was carrying the offense.
The Patriots leaned on him, and he delivered.
That’s especially notable given the presence of rookie TreVeyon Henderson, who had a strong regular season in his own right. But when the lights got brighter, Stevenson seized the moment.
In the playoffs, he’s more than doubled Henderson’s workload-51 rushing attempts to just 24. And in the AFC Championship Game, the gap widened even further: Stevenson carried the ball 25 times to Henderson’s three.
When it mattered most, there was no question who Vrabel trusted.
Now, heading into the Super Bowl, Stevenson has reasserted himself as the clear No. 1 in New England’s backfield. And with his four-year, $36 million extension signed last offseason, the Patriots have made it clear they see him as a long-term piece. That deal-currently the sixth-highest among NFL running backs by total value-looks more justified by the week.
As for Henderson, the early expectations may have been a bit much. He thrived in a committee role in college, and that may be the best way to maximize his skill set in the pros, too. Fortunately for the Patriots, they’ve got the perfect running mate in Stevenson, who can handle the heavy lifting while Henderson adds change-of-pace explosiveness.
Stevenson’s resurgence is more than just a hot streak-it’s a full-circle moment for one of the last remaining players from New England’s 2021 draft class. He’s weathered the highs and lows, led the team in rushing and receiving at different points in his career, and now ranks fifth in franchise history in rushing yards (3,669) and ninth in rushing touchdowns (28). That’s elite company, and he’s not done yet.
This season may have started with doubts, but Stevenson answered them emphatically. He’s not just a serviceable back or a complementary piece-he’s a workhorse, a tone-setter, and a leader in the Patriots’ offense. And if his recent form is any indication, he’s only getting started.