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'We can't sit here and be careless': Mike Vrabel publicly calls out Rhamondre Stevenson

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Oct 24, 2025 5:28 PM ET

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is serious about instilling discipline with his players, even if it means calling them out publicly.

Vrabel took time out of his film breakdown for the Patriots’ YouTube channel to single out running back Rhamondre Stevenson for holding the football out with one hand as he crossed the goal line during Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans.

Even though Stevenson avoided a turnover, Vrabel made it very clear that the move was not going to fly with him.

“What we can’t do is this. We can’t sit here and be careless with the football,” Vrabel said. “We’re not going to see it anymore. We’re not going to start doing this. We’re not going to start becoming a team that gives the other team an advantage.”

Great stuff here from Mike Vrabel’s film breakdown on @Patriots YouTube: https://t.co/3IoECjDtEU pic.twitter.com/0qQHWGndoQ
— Ari M (@AriMeirov) October 24, 2025

Vrabel clearly meant it, as he went out of his way to single out Stevenson’s mistake. Considering that same mistake has cost teams dearly this year on at least two occasions, however, one can understand Vrabel wanting to break that habit before it actually has consequences. It does not help that Stevenson has had ball security issues throughout his career, with 17 fumbles in five seasons.

Standards have slipped around the Patriots in recent years, but Vrabel is not shying away from being strict with his players. That approach certainly seems to be working, as the Patriots sit at 5-2 and lead the AFC East.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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