Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson is one of the NFL's best backs in pass protection, a quiet presence who does whatever his team needs. On a third-and-6 play from last Sunday's home win, Stevenson stopped New York Jets linebacker Demario Davis's charge with a two-handed shove, then drove edge rusher Will Mc Donald IV off his path to quarterback Drake Maye. Maye completed a 39-yard pass to De Mario "Pop" Douglas.
Offensive coordinator Josh Mc Daniels praised Stevenson's unselfishness and dependability, saying he will carry the ball 24 times or block 16 blitzes whenever asked. The Patriots rank sixth in rushing yards per game at 130.7, and Stevenson is on the cusp of a franchise milestone. He needs 29 rushes to join Jim Nance, Sam Cunningham and Tony Collins as the only Patriots players with six straight seasons of 100 or more carries.
Stevenson has the third-most pass block wins (197) among running backs over the past five seasons, according to ESPN Analytics and NFL Next Gen Stats, trailing only the Rams' Kyren Williams (230) and the Eagles' Saquon Barkley (227). Maye calls him one of the team's best players, and backup quarterback Tommy De Vito says quarterbacks feel secure with him in protection.
Head coach Mike Vrabel pursued Stevenson's retention after being hired in 2025, citing how he played without the football as a sign of caring about the team. Stevenson, a 28-year-old native of Las Vegas and the team's fourth all-time leading rusher, says his formula is "90% wanting to do it and 10% knowing how to do it." The Patriots (4-2) face the Chicago Bears (4-2) on Thursday.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing