Rhamondre Stevenson has fumbled in every game through four weeks, and the Patriots running back won't be in the starting lineup against the Dolphins on Sunday as a result.
"I had a conversation with Rhamondre (Stevenson) and quite frankly this week he won't be starting," head coach Jerod Mayo said in the latest episode of "Patriots All Access," which aired Friday evening. "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. And it's a mentality at this point. It's an awareness at this point. It's really not much more to do about, you know, technique or anything like that. It's just knowing, you know, you're a target on a week-after-week basis as soon as you show that you're gonna put the ball on the ground."
The Patriots lost possession on two of Stevenson's four fumbles, each of which coming in the past two games and resulting in points for their opponents. While his fumbles in Weeks 1 and 2 were recovered, the pattern was clear enough for Mayo to make a decision he had considered earlier in the week.
Stevenson this week acknowledged what has been a rough start to the season.
"I'm super tough on myself," Stevenson told ESPN's Mike Reiss on Wednesday. "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 signed a four-year, $36 million extension this offseason, has been one of the more consistent weapons featured in New England the past three seasons. He earned the starting job following a breakout 2022 campaign where he gained 1,040 yards in just seven starts (5.0 YPC). Before then, the last Patriots RB to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark came in 2016 (LeGarrette Blount).
In 2024, Stevenson has gained 267 rushing yards on 65 carries (4.1 YPC) with two touchdowns.
Antonio Gibson figures to get an opportunity to see more touches in the wake of Stevenson's benching. The veteran has gained 155 rushing yards on 29 carries (5.3 YPC) while also gaining 82 yards on seven receptions. Most importantly, Gibson hasn't coughed up the ball in his 36 total touches.
Riding a three-game losing streak, New England (1-3) faces a Dolphins (1-3) team also looking to break a three-game skid. In matchup that features two struggling offenses, protecting the ball will be paramount -- and Mayo's shakeup hopes to not only buck a trend but also send a message to his team.
