The New England Patriots are arguably the hottest team in the NFL currently. After defeating the Cleveland Browns by a score of 32-13 in Week 8, the Patriots extended their current winning streak to five games, which is the longest active winning streak in the league. With a 6-2 record, the Pats are in control of the AFC East division heading into Week 9.
A lot has gone right for the Pats so far this season, but they still have several things they can improve upon moving forward. One area of need is the running back position, as Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson have both been inconsistent, while Antonio Gibson suffered a season-ending torn ACL back in Week 5. On Monday, that led New England’s front office to bring veteran running back Jonathan Ward to town for a workout.
Patriots Work Out Running Back Jonathan Ward
Entering the 2025 campaign, the Patriots were expected to lean heavily on their running back room as second-year quarterback Drake Maye continued to develop. Instead, Maye has been the star of the show, despite getting very little help from the ground game. Stevenson has struggled to find consistency after struggling with fumbles again early in the year, while Henderson has endured some typical growing pains that come with being a rookie.
Against the Browns, the struggles were still evident. While Stevenson didn’t fumble the ball, he racked up just 34 yards on 14 carries, while also catching one pass for 15 yards. Henderson enjoyed a much better day, picking up 75 yards on 10 carries, but he wiped away all of his progress when he lost a fumble late in the fourth quarter.
While Terrell Jennings has been filling in as the No. 3 running back in the wake of Gibson’s aforementioned season-ending injury, the team would obviously like a more consistent option behind Stevenson and Henderson. That led them to Ward, who took part in a workout for the team on Monday as the team begins to prepare for its Week 9 action.
“Veteran running back Jonathan Ward is working out for the Patriots today, per a league source,” Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston shared in a post on X.
Should the Patriots Sign Jonathan Ward?
GettyThe Patriots have brought veteran running back Jonathan Ward to town for a workout
A five-year NFL veteran, Ward has spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and Pittsburgh Steelers to begin his career. He was with the New York Giants during training camp over the summer, but he ultimately didn’t end up sticking around with the team. However, the Patriots got a close look at Ward in their preseason matchup with the Giants, which could help convince them to sign Ward.
Considering how Ward has just 22 carries for 91 yards and six catches for 52 yards and a touchdown over the course of his career, expectations should be low for him should New England ultimately sign him. However, with the Pats needing more depth at running back, he could be an option worth taking a closer look at. Ward’s status will be worth monitoring over the next couple of days as the team gears up for its Week 9 clash with the Atlanta Falcons.
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