Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson: ‘I want to be the featured back’ in New England
Rhamondre Stevenson, a rushing back for the Patriots, hopes to play a key role under head coach Jerod Mayo. “I want to be the featured back for the Patriots,” Stevenson told Nicole Yang of the Boston Globe.
Stevenson is coming off a disappointing season that finished on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. In 12 games, the back gained 619 yards on 156 runs and scored four touchdowns. His yards per rush average dropped one yard from 5.0 in 2022 to 4.0 in 2023. Stevenson was also used less in the passing game last year, totaling 38 catches for 238 yards and no touchdowns.
Injuries played a role, but Stevenson’s lack of third-down use was surprising given that he fared effectively in 2022 after James White retired.
“I love playing all three downs,” Stevenson added. “Playing running back on third down is entirely different from first and second down. It’s an entirely different position. You have to pick up the blitz, run your route, and keep the quarterback safe; there’s a lot to it. But when you get it perfect, it feels like an accomplishment.”
Under Bill Belichick, the Patriots rarely deployed a workhorse back in previous seasons, instead opting for a variety of roles out of the backfield. Stevenson spent three seasons sharing time with Damien Harris, White, and Ezekiel Elliott, among others.
Stevenson, who is entering his contract year, believes that being a featured back will give him a better opportunity of finding his stride.
“The guys I split with — Damien, Zeke — they would say the same thing,” Stevenson went on to claim. “The key of staying in the game and having a feel for it, drive after drive — not one drive on, one drive off. You cannot get heated like that. All running backs understand this. You can’t actually become hot like that.”
Andy Van Pelt, the new offensive coordinator, discussed getting the run game going when he takes over in Foxborough.
“I think running the football in this league wins games, wins championships,” Van Pelt stated in a video shared to the Patriots’ social media account. “We have to do that late in the season.”
Stevenson understands that he will not be the only one back in the room. Elliott is a free agent, but the Patriots still have Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty, and Ke’Shawn Vaughn under contract.
“I definitely don’t want to be the only running back,” Stevenson stated. “I really want Kevin to get in. I really want things to happen. But I kind of want to take the initiative.”
With problems at quarterback, receiver, and prospective free agents along the offensive line, running back isn’t a top priority in New England this offseason. Still, the Patriots may add depth later in the draft to support Stevenson and possibly take over if he leaves in free agency in 2025.
