Getty The New England Patriots tried a different role for running back Rhamondre Stevenson in Week 12.
Things are changing in the running game for the New England Patriots, and the changes are resulting in a new role for previous lead back Rhamondre Stevenson. The veteran’s usage plan was different during Week 12’s 26-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, a clear sign rookie TreVeyon Henderson will continue to see his own workload increase.
As ESPN’s Mike Reiss put it, Henderson “remained the Pats’ No. 1 running back despite Rhamondre Stevenson’s return after missing three games with a turf toe injury. Henderson was charted on the field for 19 first-half snaps to Stevenson’s nine — a trend that continued in the second half.”
Henderson getting the lion’s share of the carries made sense when the second-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft had been on a tear after changing his game in recent weeks. His busy day in Cincinnati was an obvious signal the pecking order in the backfield has changed.
To be more accurate, things have flipped, based on how Stevenson was deployed against the Bengals. Reiss pointed out how “Stevenson was utilized more in obvious passing situations and at the goal line. Prior to his injury, he had played 62% of the offensive snaps, while Henderson was at 32%.”
Repackaging Stevenson as a situational back is an interesting proposition for the Patriots. Yet there’s more than a little upside for the offense and second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Patriots Making Necessary Changes to Running Game
They’ve leaned on Maye’s arm talent for success this season, but the Pats still need balance offensively. Especially when Maye is out of sorts, the way he was on the road this week.
Greater balance can only come from a credible rushing attack, something Henderson provides as more of a big-play threat than Stevenson. The first-year pro has genuine track speed, but Henderson has also been bringing greater physicality to bear on would-be tacklers.
It’s a potent combination that only yielded 3.7 yards per carry at Paycor Stadium, but the line is still trending upwards for Henderson as New England’s primary ball-carrier. Things are different for Stevenson, so a refresh of his role could be just what the 27-year-old needs to revive his career.
Rhamondre Stevenson Needs New Role
He’s long been seen as a natural workhorse able to punish defenses between the tackles, but issues with ball security have blighted Stevenson’s progress. Fortunately, he remains a bulky 6-foot, 227-pounder who can move the pile at the goal-line, like he did for this touchdown plunge from inside the five-yard line against the Buffalo Bills in Week 5.
Rhamondre Stevenson has a New England touchdown!
NEvsBUF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/s2X6Gggtgz— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2025
Stevenson is also a competent receiver out of the backfield, and that’s probably his best way to stay involved in this offense. Particularly since head coach Mike Vrabel has previously identified Terrell Jennings as a playmaker who can work the clock.
That leaves Stevenson to fill the pass-catching role that’s long been a staple of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ schemes. Stevenson’s comfort in this area is obvious when he’s averaging a career-best 10.2 yards per reception, per Pro Football Reference.
One of his best plays as a receiver was this 55-yard catch and run on a wheel route against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.
A play like this is why Stevenson should get more exposure in the passing game, while Henderson continues to emerge as the focal point for the ground attack.
James Dudko covers the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL and world soccer since 2011, with bylines at FanSided, Prime Time Sports Talk and Bleacher Report before joining Heavy in 2021. More about James Dudko
