Rhamondre Stevenson was supposed to give the New England Patriots one position it didn’t have to worry about coming into the season.
The Patriots running back gained more than 1,000 yards in 2022 and was good enough over his first three years to earn a four-year, $36 million contract extension this summer. With journeyman Jacoby Brissett keeping the quarterback job warm for first-round draft pick Drake Maye, the Patriots figured to be handing the ball off a lot.
Stevenson rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening victory over Cincinnati and helped New England clinch the win with a pair of first downs in the final minutes.