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Jahlani Tavai

Patriots Set 53-Man Roster

August 26th, 2025 at 6:07pm CST by Ben Levine

Mike Vrabel‘s first roster as Patriots head coach is taking shape. The team announced the following moves as they set their initial 53-man roster:

Released:

Waived:

Placed on IR (designated for return):

Placed on IR:

In addition to cutting Strange, the organization also moved on from Demontrey Jacobs, who started 13 games for the Patriots last season. Elsewhere on the OL, it sounds like David Olajiga will land back on New England’s practice squad if he clears waivers, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.

Perhaps the most surprising moves were the cuts the Patriots didn’t make. Kyle Dugger will stick around despite days of trade speculation. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots did receive multiple trade offers for the safety, but his $9.75MM salary (and how much the Patriots would be forced to take on) was a hurdle during negotiations. Meanwhile, the Patriots are temporarily holding on to eight wide receivers, with players like Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker making the squad.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/23/25

July 23rd, 2025 at 6:55pm CST by Ely Allen

With several training camps underway, here are today’s minor NFL transactions:

Baltimore Ravend

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

  • Claimed off waivers (from Eagles): DE K.J. Henry

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Houston fans may be discouraged to see a few big names on injured lists, but all is not lost. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 tells us that Mixon’s “medical outlook is positive” as the team plans to gradually increase his activity throughout camp. Likewise, Autry is expected to ease his way back into camp workouts, as well. Pierce, on the other hand, is expected to be ready to come off the list at the start of camp.

Per ESPN’s John Keim, Cosmi likely won’t see much time on the field in camp, but he appears to be hitting all the mile markers en route to being healthy for the start of the regular season. With McLaurin officially beginning his holdout yesterday, the team has made the corresponding roster move. McLaurin will rack up fines of $50K per each day missed, but if the team can come to terms on an extension, they can make sure those fines are nullified.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/19/25

July 19th, 2025 at 8:08pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Jacksonville Jaguars

New England Patriots

New York Jets

Washington Commanders

  • Placed on active/NFI list: T Timothy McKay

The Cardinals were one of the two teams Barrs visited yesterday. His free agent workout clearly went well, and he will look to carve out a roster spot during training camp. Barrs, a former UDFA, has yet to make a regular season appearance.

Every player on a PUP or NFI list can be activated at any time, but their designations mean they are not cleared to practice at the start of their respective training camps. Notably, the Patriots’ list of PUP players does not include Stefon Diggs. The free agent addition was a candidate to begin camp on the PUP list, but New England’s decision to keep him on the active roster is an encouraging sign regarding his ACL recovery.

The Jets are taking a cautious approach with Jermaine Johnson, as the former first-rounder confirmed on X. An Achilles tear limited him to two games last year, but the Pro Bowler said on Saturday he is ready for on-field work. Activation well in advance of Week 1 should be expected in his case.

Patriots Deploying Marte Mapu At LB

June 27th, 2025 at 6:01pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Patriots defender Marte Mapu spent most of the team’s spring practices as a linebacker, according to The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin, signaling a potential role change headed into training camp.

At 6-foot-3 230 pounds, Mapu has the size and athleticism to drop into coverage or blitz from the second level. He was listed as a safety in college but primarily played out of the slot with a secondary role in the box. During his first two NFL seasons, he played 313 snaps in the box, 221 as a free safety, and 100 in the slot, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Mapu will have to compete with Jack Gibbens and Jahlani Tavai for the backup linebacker jobs behind Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss, who took first-team reps in the spring, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Gibbens signed with the Patriots this offseason after starting his career under Mike Vrabel in Tennessee. That should give him a strong chance at making the roster, but only $300k of his $1.3MM deal is guaranteed, per OverTheCap.

Tavai, meanwhile, is recovering from a calf injury suffered in OTAs. That may threaten his roster odds, according to Volin, but he still has $2.1MM of guaranteed salary across the next two seasons that could discourage the Patriots from releasing him.

The Patriots could also choose to carry all five linebackers knowing that Mapu can also provide depth in the secondary if needed.

Patriots LB Jahlani Tavai Out Until Training Camp

June 5th, 2025 at 8:56pm CST by Ben Levine

After bringing in former defensive stalwart Mike Vrabel as head coach and investing much of their cap room to the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots are clearly hoping to take a major step forward on that side of the ball in 2025. Unfortunately, they may have to prepare for the upcoming campaign without one of the key holdovers.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier this week that linebacker Jahlani Tavai suffered a calf injury during Monday’s OTAs that will sideline him until at least training camp. This was actually a promising development, as many reporters assumed the worst when the linebacker had to be helped off the practice field after teammates “showed their concern” (per ESPN’s Mike Reiss).

A former second-round pick by the Lions, Tavai has found a home in New England in recent seasons. He became one of the team’s only standout players in 2023 and 2024, when he compiled a combined 225 tackles and two sacks in 34 appearances. The former Hawaii star inked a three-year, $15MM extension with the organization during the 2024 offseason.

Tavai is likely eyeing another significant role in 2025, although the Patriots aren’t nearly as reliant on the veteran as they once were. Free agent acquisition Robert Spillane is expected to soak up many of the reps at inside linebacker, although there’s an open competition for the other ILB spot. With Tavai temporarily off the practice field, the likes of Christian Elliss and/or Jack Gibbens could climb the depth chart.

The Patriots were traditionally in a 3-3-5 nickel defensive grouping when led by Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo. Vrabel played most of his career in that same system, so it’s been assumed the organization may maintain status quo on that side of the ball. However, Vrabel often leaned on four-down defensive linemen during his time with the Titans, and the team’s improved DL depth (and suddenly shaky ILB depth) means they could turn to that configuration. The Patriots’ current DL depth consists of Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White, Harold Landry, and K’Lavon Chaisson.

Patriots, LB Jahlani Tavai Agree To Extension

July 12th, 2024 at 3:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 12: Further details on the Tavai deal are in, courtesy of KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. The extension carries a base value of $17.88MM (a slightly higher figure than first reported) and includes $9MM guaranteed. The latter figure results from a $5.78MM signing bonus and fully guaranteed salaries for the 2024 and ’25 seasons.

Tavai’s cap figures range between $3.45MM and $5.44MM over the course of the deal, so keeping him in the fold for the foreseeable future should be feasible from the team’s perspective. He can earn per game roster bonuses topping out at $500K this season and $750K annually from 2025-27 to help reach the maximum value of $21MM.

JULY 2: Continuing an offseason trend of keeping in-house players on the books for years to come, the Patriots are set to retain Jahlani Tavai for the foreseeable future. The veteran linebacker has reached agreement on a three-year extension, ESPN’s Mike Reiss and Adam Schefter report.

This agreement contains a base value of $15MM, but the pair add it can reach a maximum of $21MM. Tavai was set to enter a walk year following the conclusion of his most recent Pats extension, but now he will be on the books through 2027. The 27-year-old has been in New England for the past three seasons, and he has emerged as a key figure on the team’s defense.

Tavai began his career with the Lions, spending a pair of seasons in the Motor City. The former second-rounder’s debut Patriots campaign saw him make 13 appearances without any starts following his Detroit release. In the two years since then, however, he has seen defensive snap shares of 50% and 76%. Tavai is set to continue as a first-team contributor for years to come at the second level of the team’s defense.

The Hawaii alum was due $1.88MM in 2024, but none of his base salary was guaranteed. This new deal represents a notable raise and a sign of confidence from Eliot Wolf and Co. that Tavai will continue to produce. He posted a career-high 69 tackles in 2022 before upping that figure to 110 last season. Over the past two years, Tavai has added a pair of interceptions, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Remaining a consistent performer over the life of this pact could prove to make this a solid investment from the team’s perspective.

New England has been busy in 2024 with respect to retaining and extending returning players, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The likes of defensive tackle Christian Barmore and safety Kyle Dugger agreed to big-ticket pacts during the spring. In the linebacking core, Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings both worked out deals of their own. The Patriots – a team which ranked seventh in total defense last season – will thus have plenty of familiar faces in place for 2024.

Armed with over $44MM in cap space entering Tuesday, absorbing a deal such as this will not be a problem for New England from a financial standpoint. Tavai was due to count $3.16MM against the cap in 2024, and that figure could change once this pact is official. Regardless of if that is the case, though, he will be a central member of the Patriots’ defensive plan for several more years.

AFC East Notes: Robinson, Patriots, Judon

December 1st, 2022 at 7:57pm CST by Ben Levine

James Robinson was a surprise inactive for the Jets win over the Bears on Sunday. Naturally, the midseason acquisition wasn’t happy to be a healthy scratch.

“Obviously, I didn’t come here not to play,” Robinson told ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “Obviously, they brought me here for a reason. I don’t expect anything unless I work for it, and I’ve been working my ass off. Me not playing pisses me off.”

Robinson was told that he’d be inactive last Wedneday, with the running back stating that he was “upset” with the decision. The 24-year-old was acquired from the Jaguars following the season-ending injury to rookie standout Breece Hall. Robinson had 27 touches for 80 yards and one touchdown in his first three games with the Jets. When asked why he was suddenly replaced in the lineup, Robinson didn’t have an answer.

“I mean, picking up the runs, that’s easy,” he said. “The thing is getting used to the pass game, protections and I feel like I’ve picked up that stuff up pretty good…You probably have to ask them what their game plan is for me. I’d do the same, but obviously I’m going to continue to work my ass off. I can’t go in there begging. They can see what I do on the field.”

Running back Zonovan Knight ended up getting the open roster spot, and the rookie had 103 yards from scrimmage in his NFL debut. The Jets could make Robinson an inactive once again this weekend if Michael Carter is able to play through his ankle injury. If Carter can go, he’d join a RB corps that would also include Knight and Ty Johnson. Coach Robert Saleh has acknowledge that the RB room is “a week-to-week thing.”

More notes out of the AFC East…

  • Before Bill Belichick settled on Matt Patricia and Joe Judge to guide his offense, there were whispers that the Patriots could recruit former offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. After serving as Alabama’s OC over the past two years, O’Brien has most recently been linked to Georgia Tech’s head coaching vacancy, although Jeff Schultz of The Athletic recently passed along that the coach could prefer to return to the NFL, particularly as New England’s offensive coordinator. For what it’s worth, Belichick said he hasn’t talked to his former assistant about re-joining the organization. “I haven’t talked to Bill in a little while,” Belichick said during an appearance on WEEI (via Mark Daniels of MassLive.com). “So, I don’t know, I wouldn’t really want to comment on his situation. I think that’s something for him to comment on.”
  • The Patriots opened up a chunk of cap space by restructuring Matt Judon‘s contract today, according to ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter). The move created more than $2MM in cap space for the organization. Judon, who inked a four-year, $56MM deal with the Patriots in 2021, leads the NFL with 13 sacks this season.
  • The two-year extension that linebacker Jahlani Tavai recently inked with the Patriots is technically a three-year pact considering the bump in 2022 money, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (on Twitter). Tavai got a raise from $1.15MM to $2MM this season, plus $500K in incentives. The linebacker can earn $1.625MM ($1.15MM guaranteed, $1.958MM cap hit) in 2023 and $1.875MM ($2.158MM cap hit) in 2024. The former Lions second-round pick has started seven of his 11 appearances this season, compiling 38 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Patriots, LB Jahlani Tavai Agree To Extension

November 29th, 2022 at 9:51am CST by Adam La Rose

The Patriots have taken care of business early with one of their pending free agents. The team has reached agreement on a two-year, $4.4MM extension with linebacker Jahlani Tavai (Twitter link via ESPN’s Field Yates). The deal includes an $850K signing bonus, Yates’ colleague Mike Reiss tweets.

A second-round pick of the Lions in 2019, Tavai started 16 of 31 games in Detroit to begin his career. Over that two-year span, he totaled 168 tackles and 3.5 sacks, but failed to live up to his draft stock. The Lions attempted to trade him in the lead-in to the 2021 campaign, but were unable to find a willing suitor. They made him one of their final roster cuts, marking another disappointing end to a recent high draft pick for the team.

The Hawaii product immediately found himself on New England’s practice squad, giving him a change of scenery which has allowed him to take a step forward in his career. Tavai played primarily on special teams in 2021, something which has continued this year He has taken on a significant defensive role as well, however, with seven starts and a 52% snap share on defense. The 26-year-old has racked up 38 stops and 1.5 sacks in his hybrid role, earning a career-best PFF grade of 71.8 in the process.

That made him a logical extension candidate with his rookie contract set to expire at the end of the season. This deal will keep him on the books through 2024, allowing him to continue to play a notable part at the second level of the Patriots’ defense. That unit has seen plenty of turnover recently, of course, so some stability will be welcomed on both sides.

New England ranks in the top 10 in several major categories defensively this season, helping lead the team to a 6-5 record and putting them in playoff contention. Tavai will no doubt be a contributor down the stretch for not only the rest of this season, but the short-term future afterwards as he continues to prosper in his second NFL home.

AFC East Notes: Maye, Bills, Dolphins, Pats

October 28th, 2021 at 10:26am CST by Sam Robinson

Playing on the franchise tag, Marcus Maye continues to be viewed as on the way out for the Jets. Whether his exit will come via deadline trade or in free agency next year remains to be seen, but Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes there is interest in the fifth-year safety ahead of the Nov. 2 deadline. While Maye’s $10.6MM franchise tag salary is prohibitive, he is a fifth-year starter who could be an impact rental player. A team acquiring Maye also would allow for exclusive negotiating rights between season’s end and free agency, though Maye giving the 2022 market a try after being tagged would make sense. Maye said last week he has not requested a trade, but contentious negotiations with the Jets did not produce a summer deal. And Maye’s DUI arrest may only further distance him from the Jets, whom he did not inform about the arrest for months after the fact.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

  • Going into the 2021 free agency period, the Dolphins‘ regret from their 2020 spending spree influenced a quieter tour through this year’s market, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes. The pandemic-reduced salary cap impacted Miami, like it did all teams, but the Dolphins spent just $25.4MM in guarantees this year. They allocated $147.2MM in total contracts in 2020, and the results helped lead the team to its 1-6 place. Byron Jones has not lived up to his then-record deal, and the Dolphins moved on from Shaq Lawson, Kyle Van Noy and Ereck Flowers after one season.
  • Bills defensive ends Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes have been discussed as trade targets around the league, per Graziano. Buffalo has done well to bolster its defensive line, and Addison and Hughes are 30-somethings in contract years. That said, it is difficult to see the Bills parting with either given their status as Super Bowl contenders. Hughes, 33, has started every game for Buffalo this year — his eighth as a Bills first-stringer — while first-rounder Gregory Rousseau has displaced Addison as a starter. Addison, 34, and Hughes have combined for just 1.5 sacks, but each certainly helps Buffalo with D-line depth.
  • The contract the Patriots gave ex-Lions second-rounder Jahlani Tavai runs through the 2022 season, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss, who writes the ex-Day 2 pick is likely being evaluated for a bigger role next season. The Patriots have Dont’a Hightower, Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jamie Collins on expiring contracts, giving Tavai a chance to grow from a seldom-used defender to a more prominent player in 2022. Tavai is set to make just $965K next year.
  • The extension the Patriots gave ex-Dolphins starter Raekwon McMillan calls for a $1MM base salary in 2022, per Reiss, who adds the Pats included $300K in playing-time incentives for the rehabbing linebacker. McMillan tore an ACL early in Pats camp but will have a shot to make next year’s team. The Pats included a $50K roster bonus for McMillan, if he remains with the team March 22.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/13/21

October 13th, 2021 at 1:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Wednesday’s minor moves, with the list being updated throughout the day:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

New England Patriots

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

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