New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson found himself in an unexpectedly awkward sideline interview during the third quarter of Thursday’s preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The confusion began when WBZ’s Steve Burton posed a question “about the guy who just left,” which Stevenson mistakenly interpreted as a reference to former head coach Bill Belichick.
Stevenson responded by expressing that he missed Belichick and praised new head coach Jerod Mayo, calling him “a great leader.” The mix-up created an awkward moment, especially considering that Belichick’s departure after a historic 24-year tenure had been one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Patriots.
However, Burton had actually been referring to linebacker Matthew Judon, who had been traded to the Atlanta Falcons earlier that day. When Burton clarified his question, he initially said Judon was “moving on to better places” before quickly correcting himself to say “at least a different place.”
Stevenson, still navigating the confusion, agreed with Burton’s amended statement, noting that Atlanta is indeed “a different place” and expressed his excitement for Judon to have a fresh start with the Falcons. The situation became more awkward due to Burton’s vague phrasing, as he referred to Judon simply as “the guy who just left” and “your defensive teammate” before finally using Judon’s name.
RELATED: Patriots Head Coach Jerod Mayo Reveals Bill Belichick Never Reached Out After He Landed Job
Given the context, it’s easy to understand why Stevenson might have thought the question was about Belichick.
The Patriots’ transition to Jerod Mayo as head coach has been a significant topic of conversation since the legendary Belichick stepped down. Stevenson’s response reflected the respect and admiration he holds for both coaches.
“I miss Bill,” Stevenson said. “That was one of my favorite coaches. But, you know, Mayo, he’s a great leader. He knows what he’s doing with us. I’m excited for Mayo and I think we can get it done with him.”
The situation with Judon had reached a boiling point earlier in the week, following his public dissatisfaction with his contract during Patriots’ training camp. The decision to trade Judon, the team’s top pass-rusher, less than a month before the start of the season was certainly significant and worth discussing.
Despite the awkwardness of the interview, Stevenson handled the situation with poise. He offered standard, diplomatic responses that avoided any controversy, though the miscommunication made the exchange somewhat uncomfortable.
The incident highlighted how easily things can become misconstrued when questions are not clearly framed, but Stevenson’s professionalism helped to navigate the moment without further complication.
