D’Ernest Johnson Reacts To Patriots’ Stunning Return To The Playoffs
The New England Patriots are officially back in the playoffs, and the turnaround has been nothing short of dramatic. In their first season under head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots clinched their first postseason berth since 2021 following a 28–24 come-from-behind win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. The victory pushed New England to 12–3, completing a stunning reversal after finishing 4–13 last season under former head coach Jerod Mayo. This year’s resurgence has been powered by Vrabel and second-year quarterback Drake Maye, marking a new era for the franchise after its last playoff appearance came under Bill Belichick and Mac Jones. Now, with Maye at the helm, the Patriots have gone from last place to the brink of their first AFC East title since 2019. As the team prepares for postseason football, running back D’Ernest Johnson is embracing both his role on the roster and the leadership culture driving the locker room forward.
D’Ernest Johnson’s Role In The Playoff Push
Johnson was signed to the active roster from the practice squad on December 13, adding depth to the Patriots’ backfield as the team surged toward the playoffs. He has appeared in three games this season, recording four carries for seven yards, and currently slots in as the No. 3 running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
His opportunity expanded after Terrell Jennings was placed on injured reserve earlier this month following a concussion that ended his regular season. While his snaps may be limited, Johnson says the bigger picture inside the locker room has remained consistent all season.
Who Keeps The Locker Room Grounded?
Speaking with The Blast exclusively on the phone during Raising Cane’s holiday bike giveaway in Boston, Johnson explained that the Patriots’ playoff clinch reflects more than just talent, but it’s about belief and discipline. “It just shows how hard working [we are] and how much we believe in the process,” Johnson said. “We’ve just got to keep going, taking it one game at a time.”
Asked who serves as the steady voice inside the locker room after major milestones, Johnson emphasized that leadership is shared. “You got coach [Vrabel],” he said. “You got Stefon [Diggs], you got Drake Maye, just everybody. Everybody brought behind each other and never had it easy and just knowing that we want more.”
Rather than celebrating too early, Johnson said the message has remained clear: the job isn’t finished.
‘Being Around The Guys’ Defined D’Ernest Johnson’s 2025
As the season and year wind down, Johnson said the moments that stand out most have nothing to do with individual stats.
“Being around the guys in the locker room,” he said. “Just having that connection, spending time with them, and going out on the field together and working hard with each other.”
That bond, he explained, has been the foundation of New England’s turnaround, telling The Blast, “That’s one of the biggest moments that stands out for me this year.”
Giving Back Beyond The Field
Johnson’s team-first mindset has extended off the field as well. As The Blast reported, he made a surprise appearance alongside Camille Kostek at Raising Cane’s holiday bike giveaway in Boston, where the brand gifted bikes and helmets to kids at the Boys & Girls Club.
The event was part of Raising Cane’s sixth annual holiday tradition, which is delivering more than 4,000 bikes and helmets nationwide this season, and Johnson’s presence helped turn the afternoon into a memorable moment for local families. “I’m just happy to be a part of it,” he told The Blast regarding the event. “To come out and give back, you know, hundreds of bikes for the kids. I think it’s special, everything they have going on.”
D’Ernest Johnson Embraces Team-First Role As Patriots Head To Playoffs
As the Patriots gear up for the playoffs, Johnson continues to embrace whatever role is asked of him, whether it’s contributing in the locker room, stepping up when called upon, or giving back to the community.
And for a team that’s already beaten the odds once this season, that mindset may be just as valuable as anything on the stat sheet.
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