Patriots plan to use TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson in a '50-50 split'

Jan 18, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) warms up before an AFC Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

The New England Patriots added two new wide receivers to the offense this offseason, acquiring superstar WR A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles and signing Romeo Doubs in free agency from the Green Bay Packers.

They're both going to get plenty of work during the upcoming season, but the bigger question will, once again, be the Patriots' running back room and how Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson split their work.

According to Chad Graff of The Athletic, the Patriots' plan is revealed to be similar to what it was last year, using both RBs in a "50-50 split" that'll surely frustrate some Patriots fans and plenty of fantasy football managers.

Patriots plan to use Henderson, Stevenson in 50-50 split

"The backfield will be a 50-50 split," Graff reports. "As TreVeyon Henderson enters his second season, it looks like he'll share the backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson pretty evenly."

For many fans, this is going to be another frustrating split in the backfield. Even though Henderson is the more explosive and electrifying RB, the Patriots aren't planning to use him in a bell-cow or featured role.

It's going to be a split with Stevenson for the second straight year, and it's not a huge surprise considering what Mike Vrabel likely wants out of his running backs.

Last season, Stevenson in 14 games played got 130 rushing attempts for 603 yards and seven touchdowns with 32 receptions on 37 targets for 345 yards and two touchdowns. He also fumbled the ball three times.

In his rookie year, Henderson in 17 games ran the ball 180 times for 911 yards and nine touchdowns, with 35 receptions on 42 targets for 221 yards and one touchdown. He fumbled just once last year.

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While Graff is reporting this backfield will be in an even split, who is going to get what work? Well, he revealed his best guess as to what the Patriots will do, and it makes sense.

"So the guess is that Stevenson will be in for short-yardage situations and early downs, and that Henderson may check in for second- and third-and-long situations as long as his pass blocking holds up," Graff writes.

Pass protection was a bit of an issue for Henderson last year and was one of the main reasons why he didn't see a lot of action until later in the year.

If he struggles in pass protection again this season, this backfield might not stay a 50-50 split, as Vrabel could favor Stevenson, who's the better protector of Drake Maye and a steadier running back over Henderson.

But it seems obvious that however this backfield shapes out every week, it's going to be a split backfield, likely 50-50 to begin the season.

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