Patriots demote RB Rhamondre Stevenson

The Patriots start running back Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled in each of the club's first four games this season, and that's what we heard recently as head coach Jerod Mayo therefore considered downgrading his RB1. Shortly after making these comments, Mayo put the plan into action.

As ESPN.com's Mike Reiss points out, Mayo will start Antonio Gibson about Stevenson in New England's Week 5 contest against the Dolphins. The first-year HC discussed this decision during a recent appearance at the Patriots All Access TV show that says: “[I had] a conversation with Rhamondre and he won't start. I will be open and transparent. But he will play. And he understands that he has to protect football in the future.”

Earlier this week, Mayo was more explicit with his comments. He said: “I have had several conversations with Rhamondre. But look, we can't preach that ball security equals job security and still have him out there most of the time.”

Stevenson, 26, signed a $36 million contract extension this offseason that moved him to seventh in the league's RB hierarchy in average annual value. It also included $17 million in guaranteed money, underscoring the club's confidence in his ability to serve as the focal point of its offense in the transition to offense Drake Maye Epoch.

At the start of the 2024 season, Stevenson had fumbled the ball seven times for 499 runs; His four fumbles this year resulted in 65 runs. This obviously could be a mere anomaly that will correct itself, and despite the demotion, Mayo's comments suggest that Stevenson will still have a role in the offense and will have a chance to make amends.

Stevenson turned his 65 carries into 267 yards (good for a 4.1 YPC average) and two touchdowns. Gibson, who is in his first year in Foxborough after signing a three-year, $11.25 million contract in March, was more efficient with his lighter workload, gaining 155 yards on 29 carries (5.3 YPC). He proved he was a capable receiver through the first four years of his career in Washington, and in 2024 he had seven catches for 82 yards.

“I’m more disappointed in myself than anyone could ever be.” Stevenson said. “It's very simple: I just have to keep the ball and have the mentality to come up with the ball every time. It’s my job to do that and I didn’t do it well.”

Gibson is no stranger to solving his own problems, and as Reiss writes in a separate article, Gibson has expressed his support for Stevenson and encouraged him to stay away from social media.