Rhamondre Stevenson Picked To Be Patriots MVP

The period between NFL teams’ mandatory minicamps and the beginning of training camp is known as the “dead period” by many. It allows analysts plenty of time to make predictions for the upcoming campaign. In one such forecasting, NFL.com predicted each NFL team’s Most Valuable Player for 2024. The selection for the New England Patriots MVP was Rhamondre Stevenson.

Quarterbacks received the most nods with 15 selections for team MVP. The other 17 selections were divided up between running back (4), wide receiver (4), outside linebacker (3), defensive end (2), defensive tackle (2), cornerback (1), and safety (1). Since the Patriots starting quarterback remains unknown, it is not surprising that writer Eric Edholm opted elsewhere for New England. The other three running backs projected as a team MVP were Breece Hall (Jets), Christian McCaffrey (49ers), and Jonathan Taylor (Colts).

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Stevenson was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2022 but regressed a bit in 2023 behind a struggling offensive line. However, he was playing well right at the point when he was injured in Game 12 of the season, sidelining him for the rest of the year. Alex Van Pelt’s offensive coaching staff is largely the group that helped Nick Chubb develop into a Pro Bowl back with the Cleveland Browns. Chubb rushed for 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022 before being injured two games into last season. Stevenson duplicating that success would certainly put him in line for team MVP, among other honors.

Other Options to Consider

Edholm stated he considered four other Patriots players for the recognition. Those were Mike Onwenu, Matthew Judon, Kyle Dugger, and Jabrill Peppers. Not mentioned was the player who won PFN’s Tom Brady Award as the 2023 Patriots MVP, Jahlani Tavai. Christian Barmore, arguably New England’s most dominant player a year ago, also received no mention.

Jahlani Tavai felt like an unlikely candidate at this time last year to take home Patriots MVP honors. It’s too early to make predictions about the 2024 squad with a tremendous amount of confidence. It’s possible whoever emerges as the starting quarterback will put up monster numbers. One of the Patriots receivers could emerge as the favorite target and make a massive splash this season. Or a defender could take a giant leap forward, as Tavai did a year ago. And of course, the best ability is availability, so staying injury-free is the key to anyone even having a chance.

And if Rhamondre Stevenson follows in the footsteps of Nick Chubb, runs for 1,500 yards, and runs away with New England Patriots MVP honors in 2024, nobody in Foxboro will be complaining about Eric Edholm saying, “I told you so.”