The New England Patriots’ 2025 season has been a tale of high expectations and frustrating setbacks, particularly in the backfield. After a disappointing 2024 draft class under former head coach Jerod Mayo, the Patriots aimed to rebound with a strong 2025 draft, selecting standout left tackle Will Campbell and explosive running back TreVeyon Henderson. These additions were meant to bolster an offense that has struggled to find consistency, especially in the running game. However, veteran running back Rhamondre Stevenson’s persistent fumbling issues have cast a shadow over the team’s early season performance, culminating in a critical decision by head coach Mike Vrabel to bench him in Week 4.
Stevenson, a 2021 draft pick, has been a cornerstone of the Patriots’ offense when at his best. Known for his reliability as a runner and his versatility in the passing game, he has been a favorite target for quarterback Drake Maye. However, his career has been plagued by ball security issues, a problem that resurfaced dramatically in the 2024 and 2025 seasons. According to @pfref, Stevenson has fumbled nine times since the start of the 2024 season, the most by any non-quarterback in the NFL during that span. This is a significant gap over the next-closest player, Breece Hall, who has six fumbles. In Week 3 of the 2025 season, Stevenson’s two fumbles in the red zone during a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers proved to be the tipping point.
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The loss to the Steelers was a particularly bitter pill for Patriots fans. Coming off an encouraging performance against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2, where Stevenson showed flashes of his old form, expectations were high. However, his two fumbles in critical moments against Pittsburgh erased any goodwill and reignited calls from fans and media for rookie TreVeyon Henderson to take over as the primary running back. Henderson, an Ohio State alum and one of the most dynamic running backs in the 2025 draft class, has shown promise in limited opportunities during the preseason and early regular season games. His explosiveness and potential to form a formidable duo with Stevenson have been a bright spot for the Patriots, but Stevenson’s struggles have delayed that vision.
The fallout from the Steelers game was immediate. On September 24, 2025, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported a telling shift during a Patriots practice. In a tackling and ball-carrier drill, Henderson took the first reps among running backs, followed by Antonio Gibson, with Stevenson relegated to third in line. This was a clear signal that Vrabel and his coaching staff were losing patience with the veteran’s ball security issues. By Week 4, Vrabel made the tough call to bench Stevenson, giving Henderson and Gibson increased roles in the offense.
Stevenson’s demotion is a significant moment for the Patriots, who have relied on his production since his rookie year. In 2024, he recorded 801 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games, along with 168 receiving yards and a touchdown. In the first three games of 2025, he added 87 rushing yards and 138 receiving yards, showcasing his dual-threat ability. However, his five fumbles across these 18 games—three in 2024 and two in 2025—have overshadowed his contributions. The red-zone fumbles against Pittsburgh were particularly costly, as they robbed the Patriots of scoring opportunities in a tightly contested game.
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Vrabel’s decision to bench Stevenson reflects a pragmatic approach to a team in transition. With a rookie quarterback in Drake Maye and a revamped offensive line anchored by Will Campbell, the Patriots cannot afford turnovers in critical moments. Henderson, while still unproven at the NFL level, offers a fresh start and the potential for a dynamic backfield. His speed and elusiveness could complement Maye’s passing game, creating a balanced attack that the Patriots have lacked in recent years.
The question now is whether Stevenson can regain the trust of Vrabel and the coaching staff. His history suggests he has the talent to bounce back, as he did after early struggles under Bill Belichick. However, with Henderson waiting in the wings and the pressure to win mounting, Stevenson’s leash is undeniably short. For now, Vrabel’s message is clear: ball security is non-negotiable, and no player, no matter how talented, is above accountability.
As the Patriots move forward, the spotlight will be on Henderson to prove he can handle a larger role and on Stevenson to demonstrate he can protect the football. The 2025 season is still young, but for a team looking to rebuild its identity, every decision counts. Vrabel’s choice to bench Stevenson in Week 4 may be the first step toward a new era in New England’s backfield.