The weakest point on this New England Patriots roster is, without a doubt, the linebacker room. Christian Elliss, Robert Spillane and Marte Mapu are the only inside linebackers from the 2025 season who are currently under contract for 2026. Newcomer KJ Britt will add some situational depth, but New England is one reliable body away from having a complete room.

Last year, that reliable body was 27-year-old linebacker Jack Gibbens.

Gibbens played in 17 games and made 81 total tackles, good for the third most on the team. 

When Spillane went down with an injury in Week 13, Gibbens played 70 snaps in his place against the Buffalo Bills and remained as the starting weakside linebacker for the final three weeks of the season. 

Gibbens played last season on just a $1.3 million salary. When it came time to renew his one-year deal this offseason, New England refused to tender him a $3.5 million contract. Gibbens now finds himself exploring free agency once again.

His explorations have now taken him to Arizona, where ESPN’s Mike Reiss reports he will visit the Cardinals’ facility and meet with the staff.

The door is far from closed on Gibbens returning to Foxboro, but it’s likely the Patriots would rather hand out a four-year contract to a mid-round draft pick at a similar price than re-sign the young UFA.

It’s a good year to need an off-ball linebacker. Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez, Buffalo’s Red Murdock, Alabama’s Justin Jefferson and Utah’s Lander Barton represent the laundry list of future NFL starters that make up a deep draft class.Â