The start of the 2026 offseason has been a bit unexciting for New England Patriots fans compared to recent years, mostly because they only signed two players on the first day of the legal tampering period. Although they were stellar signings, they weren't what anyone had been hoping for, and those who were at the top of the list signed elsewhere.
Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf did make some releases, however, including the understandable yet somewhat surprising decision to move on from linebacker Jahlani Tavai. That position was considered one of the weaker parts of the defense last year and should be a priority in free agency, so now they have created even more of a need with Tavai on the outs.