Typically a strength for the New England Patriots year in and year out, the linebacker position disappointed during the team’s generally underwhelming 2024 season. Once starter Ja’Whaun Bentley was lost to a season-ending injury in Week 2, the group as a whole and most of its members individually began to struggle.
But even though Bentley was the apparent glue to hold them all together, the Patriots under new head coach Mike Vrabel decided to part ways with the longtime starter and team captain. His role as the leader both on and off the field, however, has already been filled: free agency signing Robert Spillane will be the team’s LB1 in 2025 and beyond.