Previewing the Patriots’ running back position heading into the offseason.
The New England Patriots had high hopes for their running game in 2024 and were counting on it to lead the offense while the passing game found its groove. For a multitude of reasons, that never materialized: outside of quarterback Drake Maye providing relief on scramble drills, the team had a below-average rushing attack from a statistical perspective.
Needless to say, something will have to give for the unit heading into 2025. Now lead by a new-look coaching staff, the hope is that the Patriots will regain the ground game mojo they were sorely missing last year.
Patriots running back depth chart
Rhamondre Stevenson: The Patriots signed Stevenson to a four-year, $36 million contract extension in the offseason, and he followed it up with an up-and-down season. While he did score a career-high eight touchdowns and finished with a team-leading 969 scrimmage yards on 240 combined carries and receptions, he also averaged a career-worst 4.0 yards per touch and fumbled the ball seven times — an unacceptable number for a player compensated like the cornerstone player he is supposed to be.
Antonio Gibson: The first outside free agent signed by the Patriots last spring, Gibson had a promising season despite seeing uneven opportunities throughout the year. In total, he registered 744 scrimmage yards and 5.2 yards per touch while also founding the end zone on one occasion. The team probably should have used him more in a receiving role — he only caught 23 passes compared to Stevenson’s 33 — but he made the most of his touches. In addition, he also averaged a team-best 26.6 yards on nine kickoff returns.
Terrell Jennings: A member of the Patriots’ undrafted rookie class, Jennings started the 2024 season on the practice squad. He eventually was elevated to the active roster in December — after one prior standard elevation — and ended up seeing action in three contests with 13 carries that he took for a relatively pedestrian 33 yards. Most of his production came in the season finale against Buffalo, a team seeing both clubs rely on their backups.
JaMycal Hasty: Hasty was, in a way, the Yang to Antonio Gibson’s Yin: when one saw the field, the other generally did not. On the year, that resulted in limited snaps for the veteran running back. Ending the year as New England’s RB4 after playing only three offensive snaps over the last five games, he finished with 30 touches for 128 yards and a score.
Offseason preview
Contract statuses: Rhamondre Stevenson (signed/2028), Antonio Gibson (signed/2026), JaMycal Hasty (UFA), Terrell Jennings (signed/2025)
Coaching staff: Tony Dews (running backs), Chuckie Keeton (offensive assistant)
Change is afoot in the Patriots running back room, and it will not end with Tony Dews getting hired to replace Taylor Embree as position coach. The team also is in the market to bolster what is currently a top-heavy depth chart: Stevenson and Gibson are proven commodities and have shown they can be quality players, but the depth behind them needs to be addressed either in free agency or the draft.
Fact is, neither Terrell Jennings nor JaMycal Hasty — the latter of whom an unrestricted free agent — have shown much since joining the Patriots. Jennings does have potential, but unless the team feels strongly about his development trusting him as RB3 is a dangerous game.
Then again, so has been trusting Rhamondre Stevenson, whose fumble issues are a major concern and something that needs to improve in 2025. If not, him even making it through the season might be a long-shot. For now, however, he still gets the benefit of the doubt and an opportunity to work with a coaching staff offering significantly more experience across the board — from Dews all the way up to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
McDaniels’ presence should have a positive effect on both Stevenson and Gibson. The former is a player he already is familiar with from their time together in 2021, while the latter has the potential to fill the receiving back role highly coveted by McDaniels during his first two stints as Patriots OC.
As a result, they remain the one-two punch until further notice. Nonetheless, New England should be expected to add depth, and potential competition, to the mix over the coming weeks.