The New England Patriots are flying toward big things in the AFC this season. They lead the AFC East and are now the top team in the entire AFC. To get there, you need top players and top performances, and they're getting them. Drake Maye leads the MVP voting, and now they have the NFL's November Offensive Rookie of the Month in their emerging rookie running back, TreVeyon Henderson.
This is just another indicator of the superlative job done by Coach of the Year candidate (and Executive of the Year also) Mike Vrabel in the 2025 offseason. Vrabel knew he needed to bolster his backfield and used his second-round pick on TreVeyon Henderson, who's now getting the recognition he deserves.
Good teams and potentially great teams are built in the offseason primarily through free agency and the draft. Vrabel used both tools brilliantly, and one of his best moves was drafting Henderson in the second round of 2025.
TreVeyon Henderson is breaking out as a top NFL running back
While it's fair to say that Vrabel and Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels kept Henderson bottled up on the bench too long, when he got his chance, he took full advantage. Now he's been recognized by the NFL and his own team.
"...Running back TreVeyon Henderson has been named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for November, capping a stretch where he became a centerpiece of New England's offense during a perfect 4-0 month.
In total, Henderson racked up 342 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, and one receiving score in November, proving he can handle an expanded role in the coming playoff push...He's the first Patriots offensive rookie to win this award since September 2002, when wide receiver Deion Branch earned the honor."
.@NFL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH 🤩@TreVeyonH4 | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/u8JWfMYXtQ
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 4, 2025
Deion Branch won the award 23 years ago. Henderson's accomplishment shows how difficult it is to earn one. Even better news is that Henderson's just beginning to get going, and when the offensive line is upgraded, he'll be even more explosive and productive.
TreVeyon Henderson gives the Patriots' running game explosiveness
Henderson won the award despite operating with an offensive line that hasn't been able to open holes for the running backs for most of the season. It's been a struggle for any back to find running room. Regardless, Henderson is grinding out tough yardage and now has 625 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. When he finally got the starting nod, he took full advantage.
He's also a multi-purpose back who's added another 199 yards on 32 receptions and another touchdown through the air. Yet perhaps his biggest attribute is one the Patriots have been missing for eons: explosiveness. Henderson demonstrated that when he exploded for two long touchdown runs of 55 and 69 yards to crush the Bucs' chances in Tampa Bay.
He followed that demonstration the next week with two rushing touchdowns and one through the air against the Jets. Overall, Henderson is sporting a healthy 4.8 yards per carry. One of Vrabel's goals this offseason has to be to upgrade the right side of the offensive line with top run blockers. If he does, expect Henderson to crash the 1000-yard rushing barrier easily (if he doesn't this season) and be one of the NFL's top backs overall.