ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson is supposed to be one of the team’s best and most dependable players.

That’s why the team rewarded him with a four-year, $36 million contract extension this offseason, but Stevenson’s ball security issues led the Patriots to fumble away a victory Sunday against the Bills.

Tied 14-14 midway through the third quarter, Stevenson coughed up the ball, the Bills recovered and were able to capitalize with a 50-yard field goal. The Patriots never again came close to the lead.

The Patriots have one of the least talented rosters in the NFL. They need to be able to count on a player like Stevenson in key situations.

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“I need to hold the ball,” Stevenson said after the game.

The high-paid ball-carrier has now fumbled seven times this season, the highest mark for a running back since 2020. He’s lost three fumbles on the season. Only Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has more.

Stevenson has never fumbled more than four times in a season. He was asked if he’s doing anything differently this year.

“What you mean, like, no, I haven’t been doing nothing different, bro,” Stevenson said.

He also said it isn’t a mental issue.

“No, I’m confident right now. I’m very confident right now. I just need to hold the ball,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson was involved in another turnover early in the fourth quarter. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye threw a backward pass to Stevenson, which the running back failed to haul in. It landed on the goal line, where Bills cornerback Taron Johnson recovered it for a touchdown.

Bills defensive end Gregory Rousseau beat Patriots right tackle Demontrey Jacobs on the play and lit up Stevenson after the drop.

“I mean, (expletive), the end got free, (Maye) threw me the ball,” Stevenson said. “I saw the D-end free. Yeah, it was a backward pass, and they scored a touchdown.”

Stevenson wouldn’t specify if it was supposed to be a backward pass or if he was supposed to get in front of Maye on the route.

“It’s just a pass we complete all the time in practice. I think me and him just need to get on the same page and get it done,” Stevenson said.

The running back also noted the pass protection issues on the play.

“You’ve gotta block him. We need to block him,” Stevenson said. “And I need to do everything to get on the ball if I know it’s a backwards pass.”

Stevenson didn’t have another touch after the aborted swing pass with Antonio Gibson getting the rest of the work.

He didn’t know if he could be benched in the future.

“You’ve got to ask the coaches about that. I don’t have any say in how much I play or anything like that,” Stevenson said.

Added Head Coach Jerod Mayo: “Look, we always talk about the football is the most important thing. We can’t turn the ball over, especially against a team like this.”

Stevenson otherwise carried the ball 12 times for 60 yards with a touchdown and caught a 13-yard pass. Gibson had 10 carries for just 28 yards and caught two passes for 8 yards.

Gibson has outperformed Stevenson over the second half of the season, though he also fumbled the ball Sunday. He was able to recover his fumble.

Third-string running back JaMycal Hasty was out with an ankle injury. The Patriots signed Terrell Jennings off their practice squad, though he didn’t take any touches.

Stevenson’s contract locks him into a roster spot for the foreseeable future. With the way Gibson had been playing up to this week combined with Stevenson’s ball-security issues, it could be worth splitting their carries through the final two games of the season.