Patriots
Stevenson has fumbled in each of New England’s first four games.
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Rhamondre Stevenson will be watching at least the Patriots’ opening drive against the Dolphins from the bench on Sunday.
The running back has fumbled in each of New England’s first four games this season, prompting head coach Jerod Mayo to make the move.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo explained his decision in Week 5 during an appearance on WBZ’s “Patriots All Access” on Friday.
“Had a conversation with Rhamondre [Stevenson] and he won’t be starting,” Mayo told Scott Zolak, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “I’ll be upfront and transparent. But he will play. And he understands he has to protect the football going forward.”
Earlier this week, Mayo hinted that this might be coming. He told reporters on Wednesday that he was “considering” benching the back in favor of Antonio Gibson.
“I think it sends a stronger message to the players that there are certain things that we just can’t do to win, especially with the team we have today,” Mayo said.
New England was able to recover Stevenson’s first two fumbles versus the Bengals and Seahawks. Since then, though, the Jets and 49ers have recovered the ball, which has direly hurt the 1-3 Patriots.
The fourth-year running back was aware of Mayo’s potential plan to sit him. Stevenson said on Wednesday he would understand the coaches’ choice to do so.
“It’s the elephant in the room,” Stevenson said. “I dropped the ball four times, so whatever the coaching staff has planned, I’m rocking with it. I’ll go out there and practice hard like I always do and get ready for Sunday.”
While it took Mayo’s Patriots one month to discipline Stevenson for his fumble issues, it’s easy to wonder how much earlier Bill Belichick’s Patriots would have made the decision to bench him. He may have given an answer to that question last month.
Belichick referenced Stevenson while discussing the significance of holding onto the football on his show with Underdog Fantasy, “Coach.”
“Taking care of the football is still number one on my list after points,” Belichick said. “Rhamondre Stevenson has heard that 1,000 times: ball security is job security.”
The episode was published after Week 1, before Stevenson’s fumble streak reached a second game. But given Belichick’s continued emphasis on ball security, even though he’s not actively coaching, perhaps Stevenson would have seen the bench sooner under his previous coach.
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