Jerod Mayo Sends Clear Message By Benching Starter For Dolphins Game

New England Patriots first-year head coach Jerod Mayo is going to go through with it.

Mayo told reporters earlier this week that he would take benching Rhamondre Stevenson "under consideration" after the starting running back fumbled four times in as many games.

Mayo came to a decision on the matter and revealed Friday night that Stevenson will indeed begin Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins on the bench.

"Had a conversation with Rhamondre and he won't be starting," Mayo told Scott Zolak on "Patriots All-Access," as transcribed by ESPN's Mike Reiss "… I'll be upfront and transparent. But he will play. And he understands he has to protect the football going forward…"

It wasn't a clear-cut move to make for Mayo. New England's offense is built around Stevenson and the run game and taking one of the team's lone playmakers off the field in a pivotal game on paper doesn't make much sense.

But Mayo, who unlike his predecessor would have made this decision a couple of weeks ago, "can't preach ball security is job security" without having Stevenson spend at least a little bit of time on the bench.

And Mayo desperately needs to hold his players accountable despite trying to be a players' coach, especially with a report surfacing of a potential "mutiny" brewing inside the Patriots locker room.

It's unclear how long Stevenson, who rushed for 267 yards with two touchdowns to go along with nine receptions for 34 yards in four games, will watch from the sideline, but his benching means more of an opportunity for Antonio Gibson. Gibson has flashed during the early stages of the season, averaging 5.3 yards per carry while also recording seven receptions for 82 yards.

The Patriots and Dolphins kickoff from Gillette Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.