Why is Rhamondre Stevenson losing his starting job for the New England Patriots?

The New England Patriots have had a rough start to the season. Three losses in their first four games, injury problems on the offensive line, and uncertainty at the running back position has turned this team into a bottom feeder of the NFL. Head coach Jerod Mayo admitted to media he is pondering a change at the RB position this weekend.

Mayo making changes in first month

New England finished last year with the second pick in the draft, which tells you the state of the team coming into Week 1. This was not a good team at the start of the season, and despite winning their first game against the Cincinnati Bengals, they have only been getting worse. One of the first to suffer the wrath of coach Mayo is RB Rhamondre Stevenson who will apparently be replaced by Antonio Gibson in this weekend’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

Stevenson was the Pats top rusher last year despite suffering injury and missing the final five games of the season. He ran for 619 yards and and 4 TDs and fumbled just once in 2023. He assumed the starting role at the beginning of the season but fumble trouble has put his job in jeopardy.

When asked about Stevenson’s job safety, Mayo responded “That’s definitely under consideration. I’ve had multiple conversations with Rhamondre [about it],” the first year coach said. “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 that we just can’t do to win, especially with the team we have today.”

Center Andrews might miss rest of season

Stevenson leads the team with 267 yards rushing in the first four games of the season, with two TDs and an average of 4.1 yards per rush. The problem revolves around his troubles holding on to the ball. He has fumbled in each of he four games, losing two of those fumbles. On a team that is already having trouble scoring points, turning the ball over is less than ideal.

It’s difficult to put all the Patriots struggles squarely on the shoulders of their running back. The offensive line has been banged up, and they just got some devastating news on that front. Their starting center David Andrews will have to have shoulder surgery and will likely miss the rest of the season.

The Pats producing the least amount of yards (238.8) per game and they are second to last in points per game only to the Dolphins. The Dolphins and the Pats will meet on Sunday in Foxborough with Anthony Gibson expected to replace Stevenson in the backfield. Gibson has 29 carries for 155 yards and another 82 yards on 7 catches, but is still looking for his first TD of the year.