Patriots set to start 2026 season with many questions surrounding key position

The New England Patriots gutted their linebacker room this offseason, ridding themselves of three of six players rostered at the position at the end of 2025 before preseason even began. The team released veteran Jahlani Tavai and traded fourth-year special teamer Marte Mapu, while Jack Gibbens departed for the Cardinals in free agency. In place of their departures, the Patriots added K.J. Britt in free agency and selected Namdi Obiazor from TCU in the fifth round. After meeting with Missouri linebacker Khalil Jacobs three times during the pre-draft process, they signed him as a UDFA as well. Change has often been a positive under Mike Vrabel during his two offseasons with the team, but the team's depth at linebacker isn't filled with proven commodities, and that's something to be careful about ahead of this season. The Patriots rebuilt their linebacker room during the 2026 offseason Despite several additions at linebacker this offseason following their departures, the Patriots' second level has generally poor depth. Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss are the clear-cut starters, but preseason led to more questions than answers. The Patriots initially kept Jacobs and Obiazor, but Jacobs was later placed on short-term IR with an undisclosed injury. Chad Muma, while initially among the top candidates to fill the LB3 role behind Spillane and Elliss, was released following a horrific trio of preseason games. Britt didn't make the squad either, but unlike Muma, he was signed to the practice squad. With Spillane, Elliss, and Obiazor the only linebackers on the active roster, the team turned to waivers, claiming former Giant Darius Muasau and former Lion Erick Hunter. Muasau, 25, was selected in the sixth round from UCLA in 2024. He notched 104 tackles, 5 TFLs, a sack, and an interception in two seasons with the Giants. Hunter, 23, is a UDFA from Morgan State. He totaled 101 tackles, forced a trio of fumbles, and nabbed an interception for the Bears last season. During preseason, he had six tackles in 70 defensive snaps while receiving an 83.1 PFF grade. The Patriots are thinner at linebacker than expected Just days before the season, the Patriots are relying on Darius Muasau and a pair of rookies to bolster the depth of their linebacker room. When Jacobs returns, they'll also be looking for him to step up. While Muasau has snaps and tackles to his name, he wasn't very good last season. In 453 snaps, he finished with a 52.1 PFF grade, with a missed tackle rate of 12.8% and a 73.7% completion rate allowed. Those are improvements upon his rookie season, but they are far from elite numbers. Furthermore, expecting a trio of rookies to contribute seems risky, especially considering the team didn't roster any at the position last year. When Spillane missed the end of the regular season with a foot injury last season, the Patriots allowed 141.5 yards per game. In the 13 games prior, the team allowed 89.5 yards per game and held teams to under 75 yards seven times. If Spillane misses time, the thin linebacker room may not be enough to hold opposing rushing attacks at bay. The linebacker room is far thinner than fans may think. Add us as a preferred source on Google