THE New England Patriots may have a controversy brewing at the running back position.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has made it known that Rhamondre Stevenson could lose his job as starting running back.
Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson has fumbled the ball four times this year[/caption]
Head coach Jerod Mayo has considered benching Stevenson during his fumbling issues[/caption]
Stevenson is an extremely effective running back, but he’s had an Achilles heel to start this season.
While the 26-year-old has over 300 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns to start the year, he is fumbling the football at an exorbitant rate.
Stevenson has recorded a fumble in each of the Patriots’ first four games, and Mayo is making it known that the turnovers are unnaceptable.
“That’s definitely under consideration,” Mayo told reporters.
“I’ve had multiple conversations with Rhamondre. But we can’t preach ball security is job security and still have him out there the majority of the time.
“I think it sends a stronger message to the players that there are certain things we just can’t do to win, especially with the team we have to win.”
This isn’t the first time Stevenson is at risk of being benched. In his rookie season with the Patriots in 2021, Bill Belichick benched him for fumbling the ball.
Belichick had the same message as Mayo, “Ball security is job security.”
Stevenson was benched that year for only fumbling the ball twice. He has already fumbled four times this year.
NFL fans aren’t thrilled to hear that Stevenson might lose his role as the starter though, as he is rostered on many fantasy teams.
“My fantasy pick sucks,” one fan said.
“Gg to my fantasy team,” another fan said.
“He’s fumbled in EVERY GAME played this season,” a third fan said.
“Rhamondre Fumbleson,” a fourth fan said.
“Their o line is hot boo boo and they want to blame stevenson,” a fifth fan said.
NFL important dates
August 1 – Hall of Fame Game – Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears
August 8 – Pre-season begins
August 27 – Deadline for 53-man rosters
September 1 – Final day of pre-season
September 5 – Season opener – Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs
November 5 – Trade deadline
January 5 – Week 18 of regular-season
January 11 – Playoffs begin
February 9 – Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana
Stevenson is the No. 25 scoring running back in PPR formats, averaging 11.8 points per game.
He started the season strong with a 21.6-point performance in Week 1 and a 17.0-point performance in Week 2.
However, in the two weeks since Stevenson has only scored 8.5 total points.
The Patriots’ backup running back is former Washington Commander Antonio Gibson.
Ironically, Gibson previously lost his job in Washington because of issues fumbling the ball.
Stevenson was benched during his rookie season for fumbling[/caption]
