There are only so many chances you get in the National Football League, and teams won't keep guys around who can't do their jobs at a high level. When he's on, New England Patriots' running back Rhamondre Stevenson is one of those players who can be a top tailback, but holding on to the football continues to be one of Stevenson's biggest flaws.
The veteran running back coughed up the ball twice in Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of which cost the Patriots a touchdown. Stevenson lost a league-high seven fumbles last season, and whispers are growing louder throughout New England's fan base about giving rookie TreVeyon Henderson the bulk of the carries.
Stevenson took responsibility for his mistakes - "If I can't hold on to the ball, they don't need me," he said - but how many chances is he going to get? This offense can't afford to turn the ball over multiple times in a game, let alone five, the way they did against Pittsburgh.
A former Patriots' executive seems to believe that Stevenson is running out of mulligans.
Scott Pioli suggests Rhamondre Stevenson's job could be in jeopardy
Pioli was one of Bill Belichick's right-hand men during the early days of the Patriots' dynasty. He is a smart guy, and he knows that the team is not going to put up with Stevenson's fumbling issues much longer if they creep up even though the running back has the support of head coach Mike Vrabel. Pioli joined NBC Sports Boston's postgame show to express his feelings.
"So, you're either going to learn how to hold onto the football, or someone else is going to have it, or you're going to be somewhere else,... That was the rule: 'We'll get it fixed. If we don't, we'll find someone else to do your job. I ain't mad at you. We'll just find someone to do your job.'"
Stevenson has a lot of games left to clean up his miscues, but once the Patriots put Henderson in, the turnover issues went away, and Drake Maye led the team on a touchdown drive that tied the game in the fourth quarter.
Coincidence?
Is Stevenson going to get released? That's unlikely given the combination of support from his head coach and the fact that he is signed through the 2028 season, a contract that includes $17 million in guaranteed money.
Don't be surprised if Henderson gets his chance in Sunday's clash with the Carolina Panthers. Maybe a shakeup at running back is what the Patriots need.