TreVeyon Henderson’s Breakout Puts Patriots’ Ground Game - and AFC Hopes - on Solid Ground
The New England Patriots are doing more than just winning football games - they’re building something serious in the AFC. Sitting atop both the AFC East and the entire conference, this team is starting to look like a legitimate contender.
And when you’re climbing the conference ladder, it’s not just about having stars - it’s about getting key contributions from every corner of the roster. Right now, the Patriots are getting exactly that, especially from their rookie running back, TreVeyon Henderson.
Henderson just picked up NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month honors for November, and it’s not hard to see why. He’s become a sparkplug in an offense that’s finding its rhythm at the perfect time.
The Patriots went 4-0 in November, and Henderson was right in the middle of it all, racking up 342 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, and adding another score through the air. That kind of production isn’t just impressive - it’s historic.
He’s the first Patriots offensive rookie to win the award since Deion Branch did it way back in 2002.
A Second-Round Steal Paying Early Dividends
Credit where it’s due: Mike Vrabel saw this coming. The Patriots’ head coach - who’s making a strong case for both Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year - used his second-round pick in the 2025 draft to grab Henderson, and that decision is already paying serious dividends.
It wasn’t an immediate breakout. Early in the season, Henderson was eased into the offense, and some might argue he spent a little too much time waiting for his shot.
But once Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels gave him the green light, Henderson didn’t just step up - he exploded. Now, he's not only a key piece of the Patriots' offense, he’s become one of its most dynamic weapons.
Explosiveness the Patriots Have Been Missing
Let’s talk about what makes Henderson special. He’s not just a between-the-tackles grinder - though he’s shown he can do that too, even behind a struggling offensive line.
He’s a home-run hitter, the kind of back who can flip a game with a single cut. Just ask the Buccaneers, who watched him rip off touchdown runs of 55 and 69 yards in the same game.
That kind of burst is something New England hasn’t had in its backfield in a long time.
The week after torching Tampa Bay, Henderson kept the momentum going with a three-touchdown performance (two rushing, one receiving) against the Jets. That’s not a fluke - that’s a pattern. Through November, he’s averaging 4.8 yards per carry, and he’s been productive as a receiver too, adding 199 receiving yards and another score on 32 catches.
And here’s the kicker: he’s doing all this behind an offensive line that hasn’t exactly been opening wide lanes. The Patriots have struggled to create consistent push up front, especially on the right side, but Henderson has found ways to make things happen anyway. That’s a sign of a special back - someone who doesn’t need perfect conditions to produce.
The Road Ahead - and the Ceiling Still to Be Reached
Henderson has already racked up 625 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground, and with a few games left in the regular season, the 1,000-yard mark isn’t out of reach. But whether he hits that milestone this year or not, the bigger picture is clear: this is just the beginning.
If Vrabel can shore up the offensive line in the offseason - particularly with stronger run blockers on the right side - Henderson’s ceiling gets even higher. He’s already shown he can handle a featured role, and he’s still developing as a pro. The Patriots have found their guy in the backfield, and with MVP frontrunner Drake Maye under center, the offense suddenly has balance, explosiveness, and a real identity.
The Patriots are building something - and TreVeyon Henderson is a big part of it.