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Jeff Ulbrich Sparks Buzz Ahead of Patriots vs. Falcons: His “Unusual” Praise for Rhamondre Stevenson and the Response That Sent Patriots Nation Wild

Atlanta, Georgia – October 31, 2025

Just a few days before the matchup between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich unexpectedly lavished praise on Rhamondre Stevenson, the Patriots’ star running back. However, instead of just being a simple compliment, fans believe this could be a “psychological ploy” aimed at making the opponent overconfident.

Falcons' Jeff Ulbrich: 'It just was a no-brainer in so many ways'

Speaking at Wednesday’s press conference, Ulbrich told reporter Carlos A. Lopez:

“He’s a powerful offensive player. When facing him, I felt like I was facing Marshawn Lynch version 2.0. Stevenson has power, toughness, and incredible stamina. We’ll have to play the game in our best physical condition if we want to stop him.”

Immediately, this praise sparked controversy within the fan community. Some people believe Ulbrich genuinely admires Stevenson, but the majority of Patriots Nation believes this is a disguised compliment – the kind of “psychological warfare” that coaches often use before important matchups.

Stevenson, who is recovering from a toe injury, did not dodge when asked about the statement. He smiled and responded with full confidence:

“I respect Jeff a lot. He’s someone who clearly understands what solid defense is. But if they think I’ll slow down because of a few compliments – they’re wrong. I don’t need to be compared to Marshawn Lynch, I just want to be the best version of myself. And this Sunday, I’ll let my actions speak for themselves.”

Stevenson’s response quickly spread across social media, causing Patriots Nation to “go wild.” Many fans reposted the interview clip with captions: “This is the true spirit of New England!”

Despite uncertainty about his playing status due to injury, Stevenson still showed remarkable fighting spirit and admirable confidence. With the impressive recent form of rookie TreVeyon Henderson and the strong return of Drake Maye, the Patriots are ready to turn every “fake praise” into motivation.

This Sunday at Gillette Stadium, everyone will be waiting to see whether Ulbrich’s praise was a psychological tactic… or simply a prophecy about a true nightmare named Rhamondre Stevenson.

After learning he is on the cut list, a Pro Bowl superstar with more than 6,000 career yards for the Vikings has sent shockwaves through the NFL by expressing his desire to join the Jacksonville Jaguars for the final chapter of his career.
The NFL offseason has just begun, yet a wave of buzz has already emerged as the Minnesota Vikings are rumored to be preparing roster cuts to restructure the team. With the salary cap tightening and a clear youth movement taking shape, a veteran running back has suddenly become the focal point of league-wide attention. The Vikings are believed to be ready to part ways with a running back who once played a significant role in the offense. Despite posting a debut season of more than 1,000 rushing yards and five touchdowns, he has struggled with injuries and a gradual decline in form in recent years. As Minnesota looks for financial flexibility and offensive renewal, the possibility of a release appears increasingly unavoidable. Aaron Jones is the name that has truly stunned the NFL. The Pro Bowler with more than 6,000 career rushing yards has not chosen to remain silent and wait for his future to be decided. Instead, Jones has unexpectedly expressed his desire to join the Jacksonville Jaguars for the final stage of his career — a statement that immediately sent ripples across the AFC landscape. On the surface, the move feels unconventional, given Jones’ long history in the NFC North. But for him, this is not about divisions or rivalries. The Jaguars are quietly building a physical, disciplined identity centered around balance and toughness — an approach Jones believes aligns perfectly with his downhill running style and veteran mindset. “I look at Jacksonville and see a team heading in the right direction,” Jones said. “They play with intent, they value physical football, and they’re serious about building something sustainable. The culture Coach  Liam Coen and that locker room are creating really resonates with me. Honestly, I feel like my game fits what they’re trying to do.” From a football perspective, the Jaguars offer an intriguing situation. With a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence and a roster that no longer needs one player to carry the entire offense, Jones could step into a complementary veteran role — providing experience, pass protection, and stability while helping elevate a young team with playoff ambitions. For the Vikings, moving on from Aaron Jones may be a difficult but necessary step in reshaping their roster. For the Jaguars, it represents a low-risk, high-upside opportunity to add leadership and reliability. And for Jones, the interest in Jacksonville is not simply about finding a new team — it’s about choosing the right environment to close his NFL career playing the brand of football he has always believed in.