The New England Patriots find themselves in a much different position than they were at this time last season. After overhauling the roster in Year 1 under Mike Vrabel, the Patriots turned things around and advanced to Super Bowl LX.
Entering free agency in 2026, the list of needs is significantly shorter for Vrabel and the front office. As they now look to further upgrade the roster and fill just a handful of holes, the Patriots are projected to have more than $40 million in cap space to work with.
Among the positions not expected to be pursued heavily in the coming weeks its linebacker, as continuity will remain from last season.
Patriots’ current linebacker situation
The Patriots are positioned to return their entire linebacker room from last season, which is led by 30-year old Robert Spillane. Signed to a three-year deal last offseason, the captain and green-dot wearer will be back in the middle of the Patriots defense after a strong first season with the team.
Aside of Spillane, New England saw Christian Elliss take a step forward down the stretch last season as the 27-year enters the final year of the offer sheet he signed last offseason. Jahlani Tavai and Marte Mapu, who enters the final year of his rookie contract, also remain in the room as depth options while the Patriots signed Chad Muma off the Colts’ practice squad last December and saw the 26-year old mostly contribute on special teams.
New England’s lone expiring contract in the room is 27-year old Jack Gibbens, who will be a restricted free agent this offseason. Gibbens’ status as a RFA makes a return likely for the linebacker who is a fan-favorite of Mike Vrabel and the coaching staff and filled in adequately in Spillane’s absence last season (45 percent of the team’s defensive snaps) while being a key special teamer.
As Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf explained at the NFL Combine, New England is happy with the current group that features a wide range of skillsets to fulfill different roles. But, it’s an area they will likely address in a strong linebacker draft class in order to get younger and perhaps more athletic. For that reason, linebacker does not project as a major area of focus in free agency, but a handful of intriguing options will be available.
Patriots free agency targets at linebacker
Devin Lloyd (UFA): In the final year of his rookie contract, Lloyd’s game came together as he delivered a career-year earning second-team All-Pro honors. A strong athlete, the 27-year old can do it all on the field as he’s strong in coverage, physical coming downhill and productive as a blitzer (28 pressures last season). Lloyd also posted a career-high five interceptions last season, returning one 99 yards for a touchdown. He will cash in, perhaps making him a luxury for New England.
Devin Bush (UFA): A former top-10 pick, Bush’s game also came together in Cleveland last season as he posted a career-high 125 tackles to pair with three interceptions (two picks sixes) and 2.0 sacks. Bush is physical run defender who also shows good range in coverage, while Mike Vrabel saw him first-hand in Cleveland in 2024.
Leo Chenal (UFA): A versatile defensive piece in Kansas City, Chenal has never been a full-time player for the Chiefs defense playing just 45 percent of the team’s snaps over the last three seasons. Despite being a bigger body (6-3, 250) compared to New England’s other linebackers, Chenal is a good athlete while his size shows near the line of scrimmage in the run game and as a blitzer.
Quay Walker (UFA): If New England is looking to get more athletic along the second-level, it’s hard to find a better option than Walker who is an elite athlete at the position. Despite recording a career-high 128 total tackles last season, Walker has not fully lived up to his first-round draft status back in 2022 — particularly in coverage. But at 25-years old and with the athletic tools, teams may believe there is more to offer moving forward.
Alex Anzalone (UFA): A do-it-all linebacker in Detroit the past five seasons, Anzalone would provide another veteran presence along the second-level — while he was a five-time captain for the Lions (including in 2024 where Terrell Williams was on staff). A reliable coverage player, Anzalone missed fewer than 8.5 percent of his tackle attempts each of the last two seasons while also showing ability as a blitzer for the Lions.
Bobby Okereke (UFA): Okereke joined the Giants in 2023, the same year Ryan Cowden was hired as the team’s executive advisor to the general manager. Spending the last three seasons in New York, Okereke was a three-time captain and the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2025. At 30 years old, his skillset would make him a strong fit next to Spillane along the second-level.
Nakobe Dean (UFA): Dean provides the Patriots another avenue to get younger and more athletic at the position. Despite being undersize at 5-foot-11, 230 pounds, Dean is a full-time linebacker and is extremely successful as a blitzer. His career-season in 2024 was cut short due to a patellar tear that then limited him to just 10 games this season. Dean had previously missed time in 2023 due to a Lisfranc injury while a torn pectoral the previous year played a part in him dropping to the third-round of the draft.
