In a shocking turn of events, Rhamondre Stevenson, the star running back for the New England Patriots, has found himself in hot water after a series of costly fumbles in the first four games of the season. This Sunday, against the Miami Dolphins, Stevenson will not be in the starting lineup, a decision made by head coach Jerod Mayo in response to the alarming trend.
“I had a conversation with Rhamondre (Stevenson) and quite frankly this week he won’t be starting,” Mayo revealed on the latest episode of “Patriots All Access.” “And I’ll just be very up front and, you know, very transparent. But he will play. And he understands that, you know, he has to protect the football going forward.”
Stevenson’s struggles with ball security have been well-documented, with fumbles in every game so far this season. The Patriots have lost possession on two of these fumbles, with both turnovers leading to points for their opponents. Despite recovering the fumbles in the first two games, the pattern was too concerning for Mayo to ignore.
“I’m super tough on myself,” Stevenson admitted in an interview with ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “I’m more disappointed in myself than anyone could ever be. It’s very simple: I just have to hold on to the ball and have that mentality to come up with the ball every time. It’s my job to do that and I haven’t been doing it well.”
Stevenson, who inked a lucrative four-year, $36 million extension in the offseason, has been a key player for the Patriots in recent years. His breakout 2022 season saw him rush for 1,040 yards in just seven starts, earning him the starting job. Prior to Stevenson, the last New England running back to surpass the 1,000-yard mark was LeGarrette Blount in 2016.
Despite his recent woes, Stevenson remains determined to bounce back and prove himself on the field. The Patriots will rely on his talent and experience as they look to overcome his recent struggles and secure a victory against the Dolphins this weekend. Stay tuned as the drama continues to unfold in Foxborough.
