The Patriots are in the midst of a major roster overhaul instigated by their new Head Coach, and de facto general manager, Mike Vrabel. He has made some unpopular decisions while transforming a last-place team into what he hopes is a playoff team and ultimately a division winner.
One was long-time center and fans' favorite, David Andrews, and one was a signature defensive back under Bill Belichick, Jonathan Jones. Both are no longer with the team. Others, such as Davon Godchaux, who was traded to the Saints, and Ja'Whaun Bentley, are also on the outside looking in.
One who seems untouchable is four-year running back Rhamondre Stevenson. He's been a fixture in the Patriots' backfield since being drafted in the 2021 draft's fourth round. His solid service was amply rewarded by the team with a contract extension after the 2023 season. Regardless, one analyst thinks he's one of the NFL's most overpaid players.
Rhamondre Stevenson cited as the NFL's second-most-overpaid player
In an article entitled "The NFL's Most Overpaid Player at Every Position", Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport has included Rhamondre Stevenson prominently on his list. He's been the Pats' bell-cow back since he entered the league in 2021 and is set to have an average salary of $9 million, which Davenport believes is too much.
"It's not easy to make big bucks in the backfield in today's NFL. There are only seven running backs in the league with an average annual salary of $10 million or more—and those backs all have resumes with multiple seasons of high-end production.
Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots isn’t quite making $10 million a season. But he still got a four-year, $36 million extension last year."
Davenport then questions how he managed to get that kind of contract after the last few years he has had, since he missed five games in 2023 and his yards per carry dropped significantly. On top of that, his 2024 season was plagued with drops; he missed more games due to injury and fell out of the top list at the position as a result.
"Things got that much worse for the Oklahoma product last year. He missed time again. He averaged just 3.9 yards per carry. His 431 yards after contact ranked outside the top 20 at the position. He also fumbled seven times, the most of any NFL running back ... The 2021 fourth-rounder was already benched for a time a year ago, and the Patriots drafted Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson in the second round of this year's draft ... If Stevenson struggles again this season, the 2025 campaign will likely be his last in Foxborough."
Stevenson may be on the roster bubble after 2025, and Davenport's evaluation has some merit. The question is whether his Head Coach, Mike Vrabel, and Offensive Coordinator, Josh McDaniels, feel the same. If so, Stevenson may be on a short leash in New England.
Will Stevenson be the top back in 2025?
Injuries and fumbleitis have brought the once solid runner back to earth. His 2024 season was decent with 801 yards and seven touchdowns, but his yards per carry weren't at 3.9. To further complicate matters, the seven fumbles equaled his TD total. It's not a great picture.
The Patriots' selection of TreVeyon Henderson in the second round, with all the other roster needs they had, sent a clear message to Stevenson. He'll be slugging it out with Henderson for the lead back role in 2025, and Henderson brings a lot to the table.
The Ohio State back has a quality that Stevenson doesn't. He's explosive and a threat to take it to the house on any carry. Stevenson's calling card has been mainly as a big back who'd bludgeon his way to yards against a defense. Interestingly, a report indicates that Stevenson has trimmed down significantly this offseason. If so, it's a puzzling development.
Stevenson can't compete with Henderson as a home run threat, nor can he stand up to his challenge as a blocking back. Henderson excels at both. The veteran's advantage was as a big back. Now, that attribute might have vanished. Additionally, the fumbling issue is a problem, and it will continue to plague Stevenson until he proves it doesn't. Fumbles lose games. Players who fumble lose jobs.
All this adds up to Stevenson's being on the bubble after 2025, if not before. He might fetch solid compensation in a trade, and Vrabel isn't afraid to make controversial moves. The team has hitched its wagon to Henderson, and barring a remarkable renaissance by Stevenson, his future in New England looks dim.