“I’m super hard on myself,” Stevenson told ESPN’s Mike Reiss on Wednesday. “I'm more disappointed in myself than anyone could ever be. It's very simple: I just have to stay on the ball and have the mentality to come up with the ball every time. It's my job to do that, and that's what I did.” “I didn't do it well.”

Stevenson, who signed a four-year, $36 million contract extension this offseason, has been one of New England's most consistent players over the past three seasons. He earned the starting job after a breakout 2022 season in which he gained 1,040 yards (5.0 YPC) in just seven starts. Previously, the last Patriots RB eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in 2016 (LeGarrette Blount).

In 2024, Stevenson has 267 rushing yards on 65 carries (4.1 YPC) and two touchdowns.

Antonio Gibson assumes that he will have the opportunity to have further contact with the ball after Stevenson's change to the bench. The veteran gained 155 rushing yards on 29 carries (5.3 YPC) and 82 yards on seven receptions. Most importantly, Gibson did not cough up the ball in his 36 total touches.

Coming off a three-game losing streak, New England (1-3) faces a Dolphins team (1-3) also looking to break a three-game losing streak. In a matchup with two struggling offenses, protecting the ball will be paramount – and Mayo's restructure hopes to not only buck a trend but also send a message to his team.