Patriots To Sign LB Jack Gibbens
The Titans did not tender Jack Gibbens as a restricted free agent last week, passing on the $3MM-plus number despite the young linebacker working as a multiyear starter for the team. Gibbens has found a landing spot.
Mike Vrabel is bringing his former charge to New England. Gibbens agreed to a one-year deal with the Patriots, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Vrabel coached Gibbens from 2022-23. Gibbens, 26, will join former Tennessee teammate Harold Landry in following Vrabel to Foxborough.
[RELATED: Raiders Give Pats’ Christian Elliss Offer Sheet]
Under Vrabel in 2023, the Titans turned to Gibbens as an ILB regular. The former UDFA made 13 starts, working as Azeez Al-Shaair‘s primary sidekick. The Titans have made more changes at this position since, letting Al-Shaair rejoin DeMeco Ryans in Houston and then trading 2024 signee Kenneth Murray to the Cowboys. Shortly after adding Cody Barton during the legal tampering period, the Titans passed on giving Gibbens a $3.26MM RFA tender.
Working his way into a 66% snap share defensively in 2023, Gibbens made 95 tackles and registered a sack. Pro Football Focus viewed his initial emergence fairly well, ranking him 30th among ILB regulars that season. PFF graded Gibbens as a top-10 ILB last season, but the Titans did not give him enough snaps to qualify as a regular. Gibbens lost his starting job after Week 1, and while he regained it and logged three straight games with a 100% snap rate, an ankle injury ended his season after 10 games. Gibbens made 29 tackles during his final two starts last season, reminding of the form that caught Vrabel’s attention a year earlier.
The Patriots suddenly have a crowded ILB contingent. Holdovers Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai remain, while the team paid up (three years, $33MM) to pry Robert Spillane from the Raiders. New England used the low-end tender ($3.26MM) to retain RFA Christian Elliss, though the Raiders’ offer sheet changes that equation. Fellow ex-Titan Monty Rice is also among New England’s LB corps. Gibbens could see a bigger role if the Patriots do not opt to match the Raiders’ Elliss offer sheet.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/11/25
Tuesday’s tender decisions in the NFL:
RFAs
Non-tendered:
- Titans: LB Jack Gibbens, P Ryan Stonehouse
The Titans have made the decision to sign the NFL’s most decorated active punter, Johnny Hekker, to replace Stonehouse. The team informed Stonehouse he will not be tendered, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson; the low-end RFA number comes in at $3.26MM this year. Stonehouse stands to generate interest, as he brought down one of the longest-standing records in NFL history — Sammy Baugh‘s single-season punting average set more than 70 years ago. Stonehouse not only broke Baugh’s record by averaging 53.1 yards per punt in 2022 but repeated that average in 2023 as well. A broken leg suffered on a late-season blocked punt in 2023 led to extensive rehab, but Stonehouse still averaged 50.6 per boot in 2024.
Similarly, Gibbens will be hitting unrestricted free agency (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter) after playing a regular role. The former UDFA has made 20 career starts, including 13 in 2023. Gibbens made 95 tackles (three for loss) and notched three passes defensed that year. The Titans have since added Kenneth Murray (2024) and Cody Barton (Monday), leaving Gibbens — whom the team only used as a five-game starter last year — free to explore outside options.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/22/24
Friday’s minor moves:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: LB Antonio Grier
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on IR: LB Jack Gibbens (story)
Titans LB Jack Gibbens Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery
Jack Gibbens suffered an ankle injury on Sunday which knocked him out of the game. The third-year Titans linebacker will now be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Gibbens was carted off the field shortly after an air cast was placed on his leg, pointing to a long-term absence. He will now undergo surgery, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports a four-month recovery timeline is in place. The 25-year-old should be healed well before the start of the 2025 campaign, but his absence will be felt on defense in the meantime. Head coach Brian Callahan has since confirmed the procedure has taken place.
A former UDFA, Gibbens handled a notable role on defense in 2022 (62% snap share) while also being a regular contributor on special teams. He was limited to only five games that year, but he made 14 appearances in 2023 while remaining a key figure in Tennessee’s linebacking corps. Gibbens made 95 tackles last season, so it came as no surprise he was tendered as an exclusive rights free agent in March.
That decision set up the Minnesota product to continue his tenure with the Titans, although his defensive workload had taken a step back in 2024 prior to the injury. Gibbens nevertheless showcased his ability against the run, totaling 29 tackles in his final two full contests of the season. Once again on track to find himself as an ERFA, this injury will hurt his value.
Tennessee sits at 2-8 on the year despite boasting the league’s No. 2 total defense. That unit will be shorthanded the rest of the way with Gibbens no longer in the fold, but he should be back in the fold for spring workouts provided he is retained by the team once again.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/14/24
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Re-signed: WR KhaDarel Hodge, OL Storm Norton
Baltimore Ravens
- Re-signed: S Ar’Darius Washington
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OT Jake Curhan
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-signed: DB C.J. Goodwin
Green Bay Packers
- Re-signed: LB Kristian Welch
Indianapolis Colts
- Re-signed: RB Trey Sermon
Kansas City Chiefs
- Re-signed: DT Tershawn Wharton
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: TE Jody Fortson, DL Jonathan Harris
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Trent Sherfield
New York Jets
- Re-signed: OL Jake Hanson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LS Christian Kuntz
Tennessee Titans
- Re-signed: LB Jack Gibbens
Washington Commanders
- Signed: LB Anthony Pittman
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/13/24
Here are today’s free agent tender decisions:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Giants: CB Nick McCloud
- Rams: LB Michael Hoecht
- Seahawks: CB Michael Jackson, LB Jon Rhattigan
Non-tendered:
- Cardinals: DL Jonathan Ledbetter
- Commanders: LB Jabril Cox, RB Derrick Gore, LB De’Jon Harris
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Panthers: RB/KR Raheem Blackshear
- Titans: LB Jack Gibbens
Titans Place DL Jeffery Simmons, LB Jack Gibbens On IR
The Titans were on busy on Saturday with respect to roster decisions. Among the many moves made on Saturday was defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons and linebackers Jack Gibbens and Luke Gifford being placed on injured reserve. 
Players moved to IR are required to miss at least four weeks. Since the Titans have been eliminated from postseason contention, the news confirms that trio will not see the field again in 2023. The loss of Simmons and Gibbens in particular will deal a signficant blow to Tennessee’s defense to close out the season. The Titans’ special teams unit will also be notably weaker without Gifford in the fold.
Simmons has already missed the past two games due to a knee injury. Head coach Mike Vrabel made it clear a multi-week absence would be on tap, so with the Titans out of contention it comes as little surprise that they will shut him down for the rest of the year. 2024 will mark his next action; it also represents the beginning of his four-year, $94MM extension signed this offseason.
The 26-year-old was one of many young defensive tackles who earned a substantial raise, and he maintained his status as an impact defender this season. Simmons racked up 44 tackles (including 10 for loss) along with 5.5 sacks in 2023. Especially with Teair Tart out of the picture, Tennessee’s D-line will look much different to close out the year.
Gibbens did enough last season to earn a signficant role in 2023. The former UDFA logged a 66% snap share on defense this season, starting 13 of his 14 appearances. Gibbens totaled 92 tackles (which ranked second on the team), proving his value as a key member of the Titans’ front seven. He is a pending exclusive rights free agent, and it will be interesting to see how the team handles his financial future given the impact he made this year.
Gifford joined Tennessee this offseason on a two-year, $4MM deal. As was the case during his Cowboys tenure, he was used almost exclusively on special teams in his debut Titans campaign. Gifford saw a career-high 83% snap share in the third phase, compared to just eight total defensive snaps. He could have seen a more diverse workload in Gibbens’ absence, but instead he will join safety Amani Hooker in being shelved for the final weeks of the season.
To fill the open roster spots, the Titans announced the signings of linebacker JoJo Domann, along with offensive linemen John Ojukwu and Andrew Rupcich. All three were on the team’s practice squad, and they will now have the opportunity to see game action as Tennessee’s injury list continues to grow.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/10/22
Here are the minor moves around the league in advance of the Week 14 slate of games:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed off Titans’ practice squad: QB Logan Woodside
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: QB Anthony Brown, S Ar’Darius Washington
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: WR John Brown
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from NFI list: DL Henry Anderson
- Waived: CB Tae Hayes
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: S Mike Brown, LB Tae Davis
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: T Aviante Collins
- Placed on IR: CB Anthony Brown (story)
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: T Quinn Bailey
- Elevated: G Netane Muti, LB Harvey Langi
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: OL Ross Pierschbacher
- Elevated: LB Jarrad Davis, CB Jarren Williams
- Placed on IR: CB Chase Lucas
Houston Texans
- Elevated: WR Jalen Camp, QB Jeff Driskel
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from IR: OLB K’Lavon Chaisson
- Elevated: LB Ty Summers
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: C Hroniss Grasu
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: CB Kemon Hall
- Elevated: DL Christopher Hinton, S Raheem Layne
- Placed on IR: TE Richard Rodgers
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: WR Freddie Swain
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: S Myles Dorn, CB Tay Gowan
New York Giants
- Elevated: DT Ryder Anderson, CB Zyon Gilbert
New York Jets
- Elevated: LB Marcell Harris
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: LB Christian Elliss
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: RB Tevin Coleman, S Dontae Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from PUP list: LB Jon Rhattigan
- Elevated: RB Godwin Igwebuike, WR Laquon Treadwell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from IR: LB K.J. Britt
- Elevated: WR Deven Thompkins, S Nolan Turner
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: WR Chris Conley, LB Jack Gibbens, CB Greg Mabin
- Activated from IR: WR Racey McMath, CB Josh Thompson
- Elevated: RB Julius Chestnut, CB Davontae Harris
- Placed on IR: LB David Long
- Released: DL Larrell Murchison, OL Jordan Roos
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/12/22
Today’s practice squad moves from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Abdullah Anderson
- Placed on practice squad/injured: OL Tyler Vrabel
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OLB Andre Anthony, G Michael Niese
- Released: G Lachavious Simmons
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Royce Freeman
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL James Murray, DL Corey Peters
- Released: OL Nick Ford, LB Grant Morgan
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DB Tre Swilling
- Released: TE Tanner Owen
New York Giants
- Signed: OL KC McDermott
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Jack Gibbens
Titans Set 53-Man Roster
The Titans have trimmed down their roster to 53 players:
Released:
- RB Trenton Cannon
- DB Adrian Colbert
- LB Joe Jones
- P Brett Kern (story)
- DB Greg Mabin
Waived:
- LB David Anenih
- OL Christian DiLauro
- WR Dez Fitzpatrick
- LB Jack Gibbens
- DB Tyree Gillespie
- WR Cody Hollister
- G Hayden Howerton
- DB Chris Jackson
- DB Theo Jackson
- WR Mason Kinsey
- T Jalen McKenzie
- DL Larrell Murchison
- OL Xavier Newman
- TE Thomas Odukoya
- DL Sam Okuayinonu
- DL Jayden Peevy
- WR Reggie Roberson
- OL Jordan Roos
- OL Andrew Rupcich
- DB Tre Swilling
- TE David Wells
- QB Logan Woodside
- G Willie Wright
Waived/injured:
- TE Tommy Hudson
The Titans will open up at least one roster spot on Wednesday. Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com writes that wide receiver Racey McMath is expected to land on short-term injured reserve. McMath sustained a hip injury during Tennessee’s preseason finale, and he’ll be sidelined for at least four weeks while sitting on IR. Robert Woods, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Treylon Burks, and Kyle Philips currently make up the Titans’ WR room, so there’s a chance one of the four wide receivers who were waived today (Dez Fitzpatrick, Cody Hollister, Mason Kinsey, Reggie Roberson) will end up back with the team.
Logan Woodside could also land back on the Titans practice squad after the team opted to keep only two QBs on their active roster (Ryan Tannehill, rookie Malik Willis). Woodside has seen time in 11 games for Tennessee over the past two years, completing one of his three pass attempts (he did break out a sweet 18-yard run, though).