TreVeyon Henderson has never looked like a player in a hurry when the ball is in his hands. The Patriots running back turned that 4.43-second 40-yard dash into immediate NFL fireworks, becoming the first Patriot to score four touchdowns of 50-plus yards as a rookie. But the speed that makes him so dangerous on the field also made the league feel overwhelming at times last season.
That part is starting to change.
Entering his second year, Henderson says the game is beginning to settle down for him as he gets more comfortable with the Patriots’ offense and the pace around him.
“Most definitely,” he said. “I think the biggest thing is, like I said, understanding the offense a lot more, understanding certain plays, and then of course just continuing to get accustomed to the speed.
I think by now I’m definitely accustomed, just being able to get a lot of opportunities last year. And so going into this year, just being a lot more patient, knowing what I’m doing, knowing where I’m supposed to be.”
Henderson’s rookie season came with plenty of mileage. After helping Ohio State win the national championship in January 2025, he jumped straight into NFL prep and then played in all 21 games as a rookie. There wasn’t much room to pause, process, or reset.
This offseason gave him that chance. He used it to recover physically and sharpen the mental side of his game, especially when it comes to reading the Patriots’ offense and understanding the details of the run and pass game.
“I think understanding the offense,” Henderson said. “Understanding certain runs and pass schemes and things like that - it’s been helping me a lot. I’m just trying to continue to enhance my game however I can.”
The explosiveness was there last season. The same consistency in the passing game wasn’t, and Henderson said pass protection was a major part of that gap. That area is getting plenty of work early in camp, where the Patriots defense has been bringing pressure from all over the field and forcing him to keep sharpening his technique.
“It helps us a lot,” Henderson shared. “Whatever they throw at us, just being able to step up in the pocket and pick it up and protect the quarterback, that’s a big thing.
So I’m just continuing to try to get better at that as well, each and every practice. It’s been helpful.
“Just continuing to get opportunities, and when I get opportunities take advantage of it. Even when I’m not in, taking mental reps. Seeing what the defense is doing, going through my steps, going through my reads.”
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