"Stevenson, who lost two fumbles against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3 and has put it on the ground nine times since the start of the 2024 season, was once again listed as the starting running back heading into Week 5. It took three drives for Vrabel's gut decision to bite him in the rear end. Stevenson fumbled on the Patriots' second possession of their Sunday Night Football duel against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills."
"At this point, putting Stevenson out there is more Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' mistake than that of the player, who is clearly in his own head. After Antonio Gibson started New England's third series of the game against Buffalo, it seems like Vrabel and McDaniels are starting to hold themselves accountable. Mike Vrabel learned from his mistakes, benches Rhamondre Stevenson after fumble"
"At the risk of sounding like a broken record, there is no reason for Stevenson to be ahead of rookie second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson on the depth chart. Even if Vrabel and McDaniels don't want to start Henderson, why not give Gibson some extra looks at this point? Stevenson is still a useful power back with surprising wiggle in the open field, but this fumble issue has killed his potential."
Rhamondre Stevenson has persistent ball-security problems, losing two fumbles in Week 3 and totaling nine fumbles since the start of the 2024 season. He started Week 5 and fumbled on the Patriots' second possession against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football. The coaching staff initially kept him on the field, then turned to Antonio Gibson on the third series and eventually benched Stevenson. Stevenson remains a power back with open-field wiggle, but the multi-year fumble trend has reduced his reliability. Coaching decisions to keep him ahead of TreVeyon Henderson have drawn criticism.
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