Chiefs First-Round Star Claims Pennel is Holding Him Back, Sends Message to Fans

Foxborough, Massachusetts – In the context of the New England Patriots thriving with an 11-2 record and holding the top spot in the AFC, the press conference room at Gillette Stadium suddenly heated up when Rhamondre Stevenson spoke candidly about his own dip in performance. No excuses, no avoidance — Stevenson said the team needs players who are creating more value than he is right now and publicly asked head coach Mike Vrabel to give more playing time to one of his teammates. Stevenson was once a cornerstone of the Patriots’ running game, but the 2025 season has marked the toughest stretch of his career. A foot injury, sharply reduced efficiency, and the rise of rookie TreVeyon Henderson have cost Stevenson his RB1 role. With an average of just 3.2 yards per carry, he has become the focus of criticism. But instead of reacting negatively, Stevenson chose to show the responsibility the culture Vrabel is building always values. In the media session, Stevenson surprised everyone by naming D’Ernest Johnson — currently just RB4 but always standing out for his professional work ethic. He spoke clearly and sincerely: “I’ve had my chance and haven’t done enough with it. If Coach Vrabel wants to give him more opportunities, I’m completely behind it. He works his butt off every single day and deserves that chance. Sometimes, the best thing I can do for the team… is step aside so someone more deserving can shine.” That moment instantly created a powerful effect in the press room. D’Ernest Johnson isn’t a flashy name on the stat sheet, but whenever he steps on the field, he brings reliability and discipline to the Patriots’ running game. A calm, low-mistake RB who is always ready for any situation. Stevenson’s public support makes it far more likely Johnson will get an increased role in the final weeks of the season, especially as the Patriots look to maintain running-back depth for the playoff push. Stevenson’s voluntary willingness to yield opportunity not only speaks to his maturity and team-first mentality, but also perfectly reflects the culture of unity head coach Mike Vrabel is shaping in New England. In a season full of surprises, the Patriots succeed because of people willing to put the team’s interests above personal ego. And Stevenson’s moment is the perfect example of that spirit.