The New England Patriots’ run game this season hasn’t been the best.
There are currently four players on the roster with over 100 rushing yards, with the group totaling six rushing touchdowns. In fact, three of the players have had a fumble this season.
Rhamondre Stevenson is the only player in the Patriots’ rushing room with multiple fumbles. Still, he has the most rushing yards on the team and is tied for the most rushing touchdowns, proving to be a key part of the Pats’ offense.
The running back has had issues fumbling the ball throughout his career, having 17 fumbles throughout his career, with seven of them coming from the previous season.
With how Stevenson has been playing so far this season, one NFL analyst names the Patriots running back as a player with something to prove the rest of the season.
Rhamondre Stevenson With Most To Prove
GettyNew England Patriots RB Rhamondre Steveson
Rhamondre Stevenson currently leads the team with 157 yards on 51 carries this season. If he continues to run at this pace, he would achieve a career worst in yards in a single season.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon names the Patriots’ running back as a player with the most to prove this season.
“Only two qualified backs are averaging fewer yards per carry than Stevenson (3.1), who has also fumbled three times. He signed a four-year, $36 million contract extension in June, which brings its own pressure. But the Pats also used a second-round draft pick on TreVeyon Henderson, who has outperformed Stevenson and been more reliable thus far in his rookie season,” Gagnon wrote.
“What’s most concerning is it seems they’re also phasing him out of the passing game. I get the feeling this will be an evenly split committee soon, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Stevenson is essentially the backup by 2026.”
Head coach Mike Vrabel said that the team needs Stevenson even despite the players’ struggles this season.
Pats All-Pro Also Named Player With Something To Prove
(Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images)New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez has only been featured in three games this season for New England as he was healing from a hamstring injury he suffered during training camp.
Gonzalez was a limited participant in practice before their Week 6 matchup with the New Orleans Saints, which he ultimately played.
Gagnon names the cornerback as someone who has to prove something due to the defender’s health issues.
“There’s no denying Gonzalez’s talent, and he was exceptional during a standout sophomore campaign in 2024. But the 2023 No. 17 overall pick missed the vast majority of his rookie season… and was out for much of August and September as a result of a hamstring issue that is still hampering him,” Gagnon wrote.
“The Patriots don’t have the talent to make a surprise run this year without him, and the chances of his fifth-year option being picked up are diminishing by the week… He’s at serious risk of becoming a one-year wonder from 2024. However, Gonzalez is also only 23, so we’re not giving up on him yet. The next 11 games are critical.”
The Patriots have recorded three straight wins since Gonzalez’s return, proving how vital he is to the secondary.
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