After spending the first three year of his career with the Tennessee Titans, the time for change arrived for linebacker Jack Gibbens. An unrestricted free agent this offseason, he decided to join New England Patriots on a one-year, $1.3 million contract.
The deal allowed him to reunite with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel, and to enter what is one of the NFL’s most experienced off-ball linebacker rooms. Besides him, the group also features eight-year veteran Robert Spillane — a fellow offseason addition — as well as seven-year veteran Jahlani Tavai and five-year vets Christian Elliss and Monty Rice.
While age is not always seen as an asset in the eyes of NFL talent evaluators, Gibbens has been left impressed by the unit so far.
“I think we have an awesome room,” he said during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on Thursday. “We have a lot of guys with a ton of experience, that have played a lot of ball. This is one of the more veteran rooms that I’ve been in. Most of the guys are married, have kids, that kind of stuff. I’ve really enjoyed that, kind of being in that same stage in life just getting to know these guys and the young guys, too.
“I feel like we have a really good group. We’re really connected, we’re all competing but pulling in the same direction and helping each other out, just talking ball, talking life. It’s been awesome to be part of it for sure.”
Gibbens originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022. The Minnesota product moved between the Titans’ practice squad and active roster as a rookie before earning a more permanent role in Year 2; as a sophomore, he started 13 games while also seeing regular snaps on five special teams units.
He was unable to duplicate his success in 2024 and under a new coaching staff, but is now hopeful for a bounce-back.
“Last year was kind of a rough year for me with some stuff happening outside of my control. But then I got my opportunity and felt like I was playing well, but then I went down with an injury,” he explained. “But just trying to stay resilient, keep working hard, and just trying to fight for earning the opportunities that I can get, and make the most of them when I get them.”
