The New England Patriots made another move on Monday, with the club parting ways with linebacker Jahlani Tavai.
SI.com’s Albert Breer reported the move, with the club “clearing the decks” ahead of the start of free agency.
The move leaves New England with a significant hole to fill, with Tavai’s role on defense and special teams being a big one. Tavai played a total of 588 snaps for the club in 2025, with 287 of those coming on defense, while the remaining 301 came on special teams over the course of the 16 games that he played last season.
He saw an increase in playing time later in the season as the club shifted to having more linebackers on the field, which played a role in the decrease that Marcus Jones played down the stretch. Tavai’s speed and versatility were something that made him an asset, but it appears the Patriots may be exploring other options in place of the 29-year-old, who turns 30 in September.
According to Patriots cap expert Miguel Benzan, the move takes New England off the hook from the $3 million he was set to earn, while the club is now left with $2.89 million in dead money. It also creates $1.33 million in cap space for 2026, along with another $5.32 million in space in 2027.
🔍 Questions Answered in This Article
What Patriots player was released ahead of free agency?
The New England Patriots released linebacker Jahlani Tavai on Monday, ahead of the start of free agency. This move was reported by SI.com's Albert Breer.
What are the financial implications of the Patriots releasing Jahlani Tavai?
Releasing Jahlani Tavai frees the Patriots from $3 million he was set to earn. The club is left with $2.89 million in dead money, but gains $1.33 million in cap space for 2026 and $5.32 million for 2027.
What role did Jahlani Tavai play for the Patriots?
Jahlani Tavai played a significant role on both defense and special teams for the Patriots. In 2025, he played 588 snaps, with 287 on defense and 301 on special teams over 16 games.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
I’m surprised. I thought Tavai brought toughness, big hits and heart to the D. Not a great runner. I wager speed was his likely downfall.