Great News For Patriots as Almost Forgotten Patriots Star Comes Off Long Injury.
Stevenson is coming off a disappointing season that saw him go on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury. In 12 games, the back gained 619 yards on 156 yards and four touchdowns.
His yards per rush average dropped one yard from 5.0 in 2022 to 4.0 in 2023. Last year, stevenson was less effective in the passing game, totaling 38 catches for 238 yards and no touchdowns. Stevenson’s inability to use third-down weapons was surprising, considering that he did well in 2022 after james white retired. Stevenson said, “i love playing all three downs.” “playing running back on third down is completely different from playing on first and second down. It’s a completely different situation.
There’s a lot to it when you pick up the blitz, run your route, and keep the quarterback safe. But it feels like a great achievement when you get it right. “the patriots never deployed a workhorse back in previous seasons, instead opting for a variety of roles out of the backfield,” Bill Belichick said. Stevenson spent three seasons 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 chance of finding his stride. “damien, zeke, they would say the same thing,” stevenson said. “the key is to stay in the game and have a feel for it,” he said, “and drive after drive, not one drive on, one drive off.” You can’t get so energized as that. All running backs know this. When andy van pelt takes over in foxborough, he discusses how to get the run game going.
In a video shared on the patriots’ social media page, van pelt said, “i think running the football in this league wins games and championships.” “we have to do it late in the season,” stevenson admits. he isn’t 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. Stevenson said, “i certainly don’t want to be the only running back.” “i really want kevin to come in,” he said. I want to see it happen. I do, however, like to take the initiative.
With injuries at quarterback, receiver, and potential free agents along the offensive line, running back isn’t a top priority in new england this offseason.
Nevertheless, the patriots could add depth later in the draft to help stevenson and possibly take over if he leaves in free agency in 2025.
