The Patriots are 1–2 to start the 2025 NFL season but it could easily be 2–1, as New England's Week 3 loss to the Steelers was rife with self-inflicted wounds. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson was a particularly brutal offender in that regard; the former Pro Bowler fumbled twice against Pittsburgh while racking up only 56 total yards. He's coming off a 2024 season in which he recorded a career-high seven fumbles so it isn't a new problem.
But it's the first time coach Mike Vrabel has had to deal with it. Vrabel was hired over the offseason to completely reconstruct the Patriots from the ground up and last year's 4–13 team was so bad that nobody's job was considered safe. On Friday, Vrabel was asked who will start at running back for New England in light of Stevenson's struggles to hold onto the ball.
