Feb. 23, 2026, 8:43 p.m. ET
A bevy of financial implications come with the New England Patriots’ decision to cut running back Antonio Gibson on Monday.
Gibson signed a three-year, $11.25 million deal with the Patriots prior to the start of the 2024 NFL season. The 27-year-old received $5.3 million in guaranteed money as part of the contract. Gibson was set to count as $4.14 million against the salary cap for New England in 2026.
With the release, the Patriots now have $1 million in dead cap on their books. Since Gibson was released prior to the start of the 2026 league year, which begins on March 11, the $1 million in dead cap will be split between the 2025 and 2026 league years for the Patriots. New England freed up $3.14 million in cap space with the transaction.
Gibson’s release comes with more implications away from the financial side of things. The Patriots will now be without one of their featured kick returners as a result of the decision. Gibson recorded 239 kick return yards for New England in 2024. He followed that up with 342 kick return yards, in addition to one kick return touchdown for the Patriots in 2025.
The Georgia native also went for a combined 644 rushing yards in his two seasons playing for New England. Gibson took to Instagram to send a message to the Patriots’ organization, as well as supporters of the team, following the news of his release.
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The Patriots will now lean heavily on TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson to handle the lion’s share of carries in the backfield, as well as Henderson, Efton Chism and Kyle Williams to contribute more in the kick return department. The Patriots have Terrell Jennings and Lan Larison also rostered at running back.
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