Rhamondre Stevenson has become the Patriots’ quiet MVP

The New England Patriots are the NFL's Cinderella team. Like a phoenix, they've risen from the ashes of two straight 4-13 seasons and are now in the AFC Championship game. Mike Vrabel has built and coached, and Drake Maye has led the former floormats into the top four in the NFL. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson has played a surprisingly significant role.

Stevenson had been looked on as a trade candidate in the offseason and for good reason. He put the ball on the ground seven times in 2024, as many as he scored touchdowns. That's as good a way to punch a ticket out of town for a running back as anything else.

Additionally, Stevenson began this year similarly. He fumbled twice in the Pittsburgh game in Week 3, which helped turn an easy win into a terrible loss. He followed that up in Week 5 with a fumble in the win at Buffalo. Stevenson at that point looked like a solid candidate to either be traded at the deadline or be broomed after the 2025 season ended.

Then, things changed.

Injury to Antonio Gibson gave Rhamondre Stevenson a new life

After game five, Stevenson would have been on thin ice, but in that game, Antonio Gibson, who'd been solid for the Patriots, suffered a season-ending injury. Head Coach Mike Vrabel had little choice but to elevate Stevenson, give him more playing time, and, belatedly but finally, get his explosive rookie running back, TreVeyon Henderson, into the mix. Both have shone, and Stevenson has thrived.

Stevenson ran for 603 yards in 14 games with seven touchdowns and a solid 4.6-yard average. He also had 32 receptions for 345 yards and two more touchdowns and racked up 40 first downs to boot. It was a rebound worthy of the Celtics' late great center, Bill Russell.

Rhamondre Stevenson has locked in a 2026 roster spot

In the two 2025 playoff games, Stevenson has 130 yards rushing for a healthy 4.7-yard average and has caught seven passes for another 86 yards. While he hasn't yet scored a touchdown, he's been a reliable runner and receiver for Drake Maye's offense, even with an offensive line that has not performed up to par.

The offensive line has had difficulty all year opening running lanes for both Stevenson and Treveyon Henderson. Much of their success has come from individual efforts rather than the line opening up holes for them.

It's a deficiency that has to be high up on Mike Vrabel's offseason priority list. The offensive line hasn't done much in the running game, and its pass-blocking has been even worse. It allowed 47 sacks in the regular season and in two playoff games, has surrendered another 10. If that doesn't cry out for upgrades, nothing will.

Regardless, Rhamondre Stevenson, after putting his fumblitis aside after Week 5, has put himself back into the Patriots' picture for 2026. Though 10 fumbles in two seasons is nothing to write home about, since Week 5, in 14 games, he hasn't put the ball on the ground. Along with the explosive TreVeyon Henderson, he's helped the Patriots advance to the AFC Championship game.

Expect him to be back toting the rock in 2026.