Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson admits the biggest difference in his game this season
FOXBOROUGH, MA – The best quality in an athlete is the desire to continue to improve, and that certainly describes Rhamondre Stevenson. The New England Patriots running back is coming off a breakout season, but he still sees a lot of room to grow. Speaking with the media on Wednesday, Stevenson was asked about what […]
FOXBOROUGH, MA – The best quality in an athlete is the desire to continue to improve, and that certainly describes Rhamondre Stevenson.
The New England Patriots running back is coming off a breakout season, but he still sees a lot of room to grow.
Speaking with the media on Wednesday, Stevenson was asked about what the biggest difference is between this year and last and he didn't hesitate: "More relentlessness."
"Doesn't matter how many snaps I take, just want to do the same each route," Stevenson said.
Despite starting as a backup to Damian Harris last season, the 25-year-old running back finished the 2022 season with 210 carries for 1,040 yards and 69 catches for 421 yards across 17 games. And with Harris suffering a hamstring injury in Week 5, Stevenson became the top running back.
However, while he is the No. 1 back this season, they brought in a highly skilled veteran to add depth to the position.
The Patriots signed Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year deal, with Stevenson also praising Elliott's relentlessness back in August. And he is soaking in the opportunity to work with the three-time ProBowler.
"That's almost every day," Stevenson said when asked about if he is learning from Ezekiel Elliott. "He's been in the league for a little while now. So he's seen a lot of different looks. He's seen the game go whichever way it's going to go, so just having that vet in the room to ask him questions. Yeah, he gave me a lot of pointers."
However, he admitted that he doesn't know how the Patriots plan to use him and Elliott in the backfield.
But regardless of the plan, he and the rest of the team have absolute faith in Bill O'Brien, who was hired as the offensive coordinator this offseason.
"I think everyone's just buying into just the whole team," Stevenson said. "I wouldn't even say Bill O'Brien's offense, just the team aspect of the whole thing, just merging together," Stevenson. "
Sunday will provide the first look at how the Patriots plan to use the two running backs and could finally shine some light on this long awaited question.
Hunter Henry highlights consistency across Patriots offense ahead of season opener
Looking to prove everybody wrong.
Featured Image via Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
