After ‘one of my better and healthier camps,’ Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson ready to go vs. Seahawks – The Boston Globe
“I’m ready to go to war with our new group of offensive guys,” Stevenson said. “I’m very confident. I feel like this is one of my better camps, more healthier camps. So yeah, I’m ready to go.”
Henderson (ankle) was one of two Patriots who did not practice on Monday morning. However, Henderson did make the trip with the team to Seattle. Offensive lineman Ben Brown, who hasn’t been on the field since suffering a knee injury in the preseason opener and didn’t practice Monday, did not travel with the team.
If Henderson doesn’t play, it’ll likely be a steady diet of Stevenson for the Patriots. His consistency and ability in blitz pickup was on full display over the course of training camp, and against a fearsome Seattle pass rush those skills will be vital to what the Patriots want to get done on offense.
“I think that there is consistency. I think that we’ve talked about his protection in the past, and that’ll be critical, I’m sure, Wednesday night. And I think that’s probably one of the things I appreciate the most about him,” coach Mike Vrabel said of the 6-foot, 227-pound Stevenson.
“I certainly love the ability to catch the football and run with it and create [explosive] plays. But also I think that the protection, for me, is what stands out.”
In almost unassuming fashion, Stevenson’s work over the last five years has put him among the franchise’s elite running backs. He enters this season in fifth place on the team’s all-time rushing list with 3,669 yards. If he gains 131 yards rushing at Seattle, he will move past Curtis Martin (3,799) into fourth.
But Stevenson’s between-the-tackles running ability is only one part of his game. As Vrabel noted, he’s the best back on the roster in blitz pickup, and he continues to display great work as a receiver. This year, Stevenson is trying to become the first Patriots running back since James White with five straight seasons of 30 catches or more. (White did it every year from 2015-20.)
“I’ve always been confident and comfortable catching the ball and doing those routes out of the backfield,” Stevenson said. “I just think it was getting those things on film and just let everybody around me, all the offensive players, all the offensive staff, gain that confidence I’ve had in myself.”
Stevenson has quietly compiled an impressive record of durability. He’s one of a only handful of players on the roster who have stuck around since 2021. He survived back-to-back four-win seasons in 2023 and ′24, a rash of ball-security issues, and family tragedy to play a sizable role down the stretch and into the 2025 postseason.
That resilience is a point of pride for Stevenson, and something that doesn’t go unnoticed by his veteran teammates.
“I just think back on it and realize how blessed I am to be on one team as a running back,” said Stevenson, who trails only Mike Onwenu and Hunter Henry among current players for games in a Patriots uniform. “You know, that’s huge; not to be bouncing around team to team. Just finding a home in Boston. I’ve been very grateful and blessed to be here my whole career, and very comfortable here with the staff, with the front office, and with everything around me.”
“I just think he continues to show up, no matter the circumstance,” Henry said. “He’s had some high points in his career, and he’s had some pretty low points, and I just commend him for continuing to battle.
“He’s just a lot of fun to play with. He’s an easy back to block for, too, because he’s just an effortless runner. Sets up your blocks really well and is just able to see things really well. He’s got great vision and great feet. He’s kind of everything you want in a back.”
Ultimately, regardless of who is on the field Wednesday night against the Seahawks, Stevenson is optimistic about the state of the running back depth chart.
“I’ve got some new guys in there like Corey [Kiner],” Stevenson said. “But yeah, we’re extremely confident in Lan [Larison], TreVeyon, and everybody else in our room to go out there, do what we’re supposed to do, and play hard.”
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.