The New England Patriots have undergone a dramatic transformation this offseason, with new head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Eliot Wolf spearheading a roster overhaul that has injected fresh talent into a team that struggled mightily in 2024. With significant free-agent signings, a highly praised 2025 NFL Draft class, and a renewed sense of optimism in Foxborough, the Patriots are poised to take a step forward. However, as the team prepares for mandatory minicamp and the upcoming 2025 season, tough decisions loom on the horizon. One player, a familiar name to Patriots fans, has emerged as a surprising cut candidate: running back Antonio Gibson.
A Crowded Backfield and New Priorities
Antonio Gibson, who joined the Patriots in 2024, was expected to be a versatile weapon in the team’s offense. His ability to contribute as both a runner and a receiver out of the backfield made him an intriguing addition to a unit desperate for playmakers. In his first season with New England, Gibson rushed for 538 yards and a touchdown, averaging a respectable 4.5 yards per carry. However, his role was not as expansive as initially anticipated, and now, with the Patriots’ recent roster moves, his spot on the depth chart appears increasingly precarious.
The Patriots’ 2025 NFL Draft saw them select Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second round (No. 38 overall), a move that raised eyebrows given the presence of incumbent starter Rhamondre Stevenson and Gibson. Henderson, a dynamic and explosive runner, is seen as a potential long-term solution in the backfield, complementing Stevenson’s bruising style. With Stevenson and Henderson likely locked in as the top two running backs, Gibson finds himself competing for a roster spot in a crowded room. Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay recently named Gibson among six veterans league-wide who could be released before Week 1, citing the Patriots’ shift in priorities as a key factor.
The Unexpected Reason: Roster Depth and Strategic Shifts
What makes Gibson’s potential departure surprising is not his performance—by all accounts, he was a solid contributor in 2024—but rather the Patriots’ newfound depth and strategic direction. The team’s offense, under the guidance of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, is evolving to prioritize a balanced attack with a strong emphasis on the passing game. The addition of four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs in free agency, along with rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams (drafted at No. 69 overall), signals a commitment to stretching the field and creating mismatches through the air.
This shift reduces the need for a third running back with Gibson’s skill set, especially when the team is also investing in younger, cheaper talent. Henderson’s arrival, combined with the Patriots’ desire to allocate roster spots to special teams contributors and players at other positions of need, puts Gibson on the bubble. Furthermore, the team’s decision to cross-train offensive linemen like Layden Robinson and Tyrese Robinson at left guard suggests a focus on versatility and depth up front, potentially at the expense of retaining additional skill-position players like Gibson.
The Financial and Emotional Impact
From a financial perspective, cutting Gibson makes sense. His contract, while not exorbitant, is a luxury the Patriots may not need to carry given their other options. Releasing him would free up cap space, allowing the team to address other areas of the roster or roll over funds for future seasons. Emotionally, however, the move would sting for fans who appreciated Gibson’s effort and flashes of brilliance in an otherwise challenging 2024 campaign. His departure would also mark another step in the Patriots’ transition away from the stopgap solutions of recent years toward a more cohesive, long-term vision.
Looking Ahead
As the Patriots kick off mandatory minicamp, all eyes will be on the running back competition. Can Gibson outperform expectations and carve out a niche in Vrabel’s system? Or will the combination of Stevenson, Henderson, and the team’s broader roster needs spell the end of his tenure in New England? One thing is certain: the Patriots are no longer the team that settled for mediocrity in 2024. With a revamped coaching staff, a promising young quarterback in Drake Maye, and a roster brimming with potential, every roster spot must be earned.
Antonio Gibson is no stranger to Patriots fans, but his potential exit—for the unexpected reason of being outshined by a deeper, more dynamic roster—would underscore just how far this team has come in a single offseason. As training camp approaches, Gibson’s fate will serve as a reminder that in the NFL, even solid contributors can find themselves on the outside looking in when a team’s priorities shift.