The Patriots are making a roster cut ahead of the start of the free-agent negotiation period. According to Albert Breer, they are releasing linebacker Jahlani Tavai.
Cutting Tavai sheds $4 million in salary and bonuses off the books for 2026, and $3.875M for 2027. Elsewhere on the linebacker depth chart, the Patriots also have a decision to make on Jack Gibbens, who is on track to become a restricted free agent. Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss are lineup regulars who are under contract for 2026 and are the only two linebackers signed for 2027, so the Patriots have a need at that position both short-term and long-term.
Tavai played 12 games for the Patriots in 2025, logging 42 tackles (four for loss) and a forced fumble. He saw a significant drop in playing time under Mike Vrabel, playing just 32% of defensive snaps (19 snaps per game). As for the cap, cutting him pre-June 1 creates about $1.7 million in new space (via Spotrac).
But more importantly, the Patriots have a few million extra bucks to work with in the event that they make an early push for a free agent as soon as Monday. It made a difference last year, when they went the extra mile to bring in defensive tackle Milton Williams, making him the highest-paid free agent in team history.
It’s unclear whether the Patriots are about to make that big of a move, but they have several needs at key spots in the lineup. They will need a linebacker or two, whether it’s in free agency or the draft. If they want to make a bigger move, the free-agent market is flush with established veteran linebackers in their primes, including Devin Lloyd, Bobby Okereke, Tremaine Edmunds, Devin Bush, and Quay Walker.
Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.