{"id":858876,"date":"2026-04-07T12:33:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T12:33:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/858876\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T12:33:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T12:33:23","slug":"patriots-inform-linebacker-marte-mapu-they-intend-to-release-him","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/858876\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots Inform Linebacker Marte Mapu They Intend to Release Him"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Marte\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The New England Patriots have informed linebacker Marte Mapu that they will be releasing him.<\/p>\n

The New England Patriots<\/a> are making changes at the linebacker position. Per a report<\/a> from ESPN\u2019s Mike Reiss, the Patriots have informed linebacker and personal protector Marte Mapu<\/a> that they intend on releasing him.<\/p>\n

2026 was going to be the last season of Mapu\u2019s contract. He was due a base salary of $1.508\u00a0 for the season.<\/p>\n

The Patriots initially selected Mapu in the third round of the 2023 NFL<\/a> Draft, after playing his college football at Sacramento State. He would be selected with the 76th overall pick. He was the eighth linebacker selected overall. That was the final season in which Bill Belichick was the head coach and de facto general manager for New England.<\/p>\n

Mapu would go on to play in 44 games, while making 10 starts, during his three seasons in New England. In that time, he has 89 total tackles, including 0.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. He also has 3 interceptions and 12 passes defended.<\/p>\n

The New England Patriots Have Made Several Moves at Linebacker\"New<\/p>\n

GettyNew England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel<\/p>\n

This has been a busy offseason for the New England Patriots, as EVP Eliot Wolf and head coach Mike Vrabel look to improve on gaps on this roster. That has included making several moves at linebacker throughout the offseason.<\/p>\n

There are several new faces coming to New England for one. Back in early February, the team signed Amari Gainer<\/a> and Otis Reese<\/a> to futures contracts. Gainer was an undrafted free agent who was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> but was waived in August. Then, Reese was an undrafted free agent signed by the Tennessee Titans<\/a> when Vrabel was still the head coach there. He would also be waived in August of 2025.<\/p>\n

On March 5th, the Patriots went on to also sign Jesse Luketa<\/a>. He had been a seventh-round selection by the Arizona Cardinals<\/a> back in 2022. He spent 2025 on the practice squad for the Los Angeles Rams<\/a>. Later in March, the Patriots also signed Dre\u2019Mont Jones<\/a>, who split his 2025 season with the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens<\/a>. Then, K.J. Britt<\/a> was signed as an unrestricted free agent. He spent the 2025 season with the Miami Dolphins<\/a> and is now on another one-year deal with New England. That\u2019s worth $1.4 million.<\/p>\n

On top of those moves, K\u2019Lavon Chaisson<\/a> also left in free agency. That will, again, take its toll on the defensive front seven.<\/p>\n

Marte Mapu isn\u2019t the only linebacker New England has released either. Anfernee Jennings<\/a> and Jahlani Tavai<\/a> were both released on March 11th.<\/p>\n

Patriots Get Update on LB Harold Landry III\"Harold<\/p>\n

GettyNew England Patriots linebacker Harold Landry III<\/p>\n

A major part of the free agency plan a year ago was landing linebacker Harold Landry III<\/a> to a three-year, $43.5 million contract. However, the 2025 season was an injury-plagued one for him and he would not be able to fully produce the kind of way the team had been hoping he would.<\/p>\n

Now, with the voluntary program for the offseason set to begin on April 20th, the team got a positive update on Landry. He\u2019s been around the team and is working hard to get on the field again.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Patriots\u2019 voluntary offseason program begins April 20, but veteran edge rusher Harold Landry III has already been showing up at the team facility every day in recent weeks,\u201d Mike Reiss reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Landry played in 15 games despite a lingering knee injury that slowed him down. Still, the impact of that injury was felt throughout the year. Now, he\u2019ll need to get back to full health and the play that New England expected when they signed him.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tDan Morrison<\/a> After graduating from UMass in 2019, Dan Morrison quickly began a career in sports journalism and digital media. That has seen him work both as a contributing writer at several publications, as well as spending time on the National News Desk at On3. During that time, he has spent the majority of his time covering football, both at the college and NFL levels. Currently residing in Central Florida, his focus with Heavy is on the NFL. More about Dan Morrison<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Patriots\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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