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.
