Turnovers have been an issue for the New England Patriots’ defense as of late, but their backside has proven to be relatively stable. Sure, there were some cuts and additions at the top of the depth chart, but the bulk of the 2024 class remains in place in 2025.
Indeed, the current makeup of the organization suggests that there will only be limited changes by 2026.
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Patriots linebacker depth chart
Robert Spillane: When the Patriots signed Spillane to a three-year, $33 million free-agent contract last March, their intentions were clear: He would become their new No. 1 guy in the linebacker room, a position that was further reinforced when Ja’Vaughn Bentley was waived shortly thereafter. Spillane was subsequently selected as the team’s captain and started all 17 regular season and playoff games in which he played. As a true third baseman and defensive signal-caller, he is a vital member of New England’s defense. Despite missing four games with foot and ankle issues, he finished the season leading the team with 115 tackles and two interceptions. | Signed (2028 UFA) | Reached $12.32 million cap
Christian Ellis: Ellis continued his promotion from core special teams to starting linebacker in 2025 (while still being active in the kicking game and finishing second with 18 tackles). He is tied with Spillane for second with 94 total tackles and two fumble receptions in 19 games. He did have some ups and downs in coverage but still looks best suited in a complementary role, but he had a solid season overall. | Signed (2027 UFA) | Reached $8.56 million cap
Jack Gibbons: Gibbons signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract that included only $300,000 guaranteed, but he was not guaranteed a spot on the training camp roster. However, his performance, especially on special teams, paved the way for him to earn one of the 53 spots. Since then, he’s developed into a valuable rotational linebacker, becoming a go-to option and signal-caller during Spillane’s injury absence. All told, he finished 2025 with 10 starts, 90 tackles and one forced fumble; he also recorded 10 special teams knockdowns. | radiofrequency ablation
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Jalani Tawai: Tavai began the season on injured reserve with a calf injury and upon his return in mid-October, he was used primarily as a hybrid role player off the ball and on the edge. As a result, he started nine of 16 games but averaged only about a quarter of the snaps. He was even more impressive in the kicking game, where he was a five-game regular and, despite missing time, finished with the fifth-most snaps (301). | Signed (2028 UFA) | Reached $5.22 million cap
Maltmap: Like Tavai, Mapp sees his most common action in the kicking game. A core 4 player who serves as an individual punt protector on all punt returns and defensive units, he ranks fourth in special teams tackles (326) and second in solo tackles (8). Defensively, he only played 122 snaps and had 13 tackles for loss. He was largely a non-factor on that side of the ball, but did throw an interception in Week 2 against Miami. | Signed (2027 UFA) | Reached $1.77 million cap
Chad Mumma: Originally with the Jaguars heading into 2025 and later spending time with the Colts, Muma arrived in New England in December via Indianapolis’ practice squad. Upon arrival, he started in seven games, including all four playoff games, and became a key figure on special teams. The 26-year-old ranks third on the team in postseason special teams tackles (three). | Signed (2027 UFA) | Reached $1.24 million cap
Otis Reese: Like Muma, Reese has played for three different teams in 2025. Unlike his teammates, however, he didn’t play in any games: The former Titan spent the entire season on the practice squad in Buffalo or New England before signing a future contract with the Patriots. | Signed (2027 RFA) | Reached $1.08 million cap
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Amari Gainer: Gaynor is having a quiet 2025 season. He was waived by the Raiders before roster cuts and remained unsigned until the Patriots selected him via the practice squad in mid-December. He stayed there for the rest of the season and didn’t see any games. | Signed (2028 ERFA) | Reached $1.01 million cap
Patriots offseason preview
As you can see, the Patriots have seven linebackers under contract through 2025, including three of their top four picks. The fourth spot is restricted free agent Jake Gibbons, who appears to be a realistic return candidate given his qualities as a backup and special teams player.
So, does this mean the Patriots will basically ignore the position other than possibly bringing back Gibbons? Probably not, although there probably won’t be any large financial investments like last year. More realistically, they hope to inject young talent and development space into the team through the draft.
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In fact, Eliot Wolf said as much himself during a Q&A with local media at a Scouting United event last week.
“We might want to address that in the draft. It’s looking good this year for linebackers,” Patriots executive vice president of players said.
“But we’re happy with the roster we have. I think Christian Ellis has taken a step forward. Spillane has been really good when he’s been out there. Gibbons has created a role for himself, he’s created a role for Tavai. Mapp has his role as well. So, we have a lot of different players in that area and the defense is able to try to maximize that for us.”