The Patriots revamped their defense and could see an increase in production after the money they spent during free agency.
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Returning to the squad is linebacker and last season’s leading tackler for the team, Jahlani Tavai.
NFL website writer Eric Edholm names the Patriots’ linebacker as someone who could lose their starting role next season.
“The only Patriots defender to play more snaps last season than Tavai was standout cornerback Christian Gonzalez, and the linebacker has started 44 games over the past three years. There have been some high points, especially in 2023. But Tavai’s role could change dramatically if we can read anything into his offseason usage,” Edholm wrote for the NFL website.
“Reports from OTAs suggested that he’d fallen behind holdover Christian Elliss and newly signed Robert Spillane on the depth chart. Tavai played poorly last season in the spot Spillane is expected to man, but it appeared Elliss had a leg up on Tavai even prior to Tavai suffering a calf injury in early June that landed him on the PUP list.”
Tavai has registered more than 200 tackles for the Patriots in the last two seasons, including a 115-tackle performance on last year’s squad that went 4-13.
Jahlani Tavai Comments Towards Fans
Despite being the leading tackler for the historic franchise last season, Jahlani Tavai made remarks about the Patriots fans that left a sour taste in their mouths.
Tavai made remarks after the Patriots lost to the Chargers in week 17, with the team having a record of 3-13 and backlash from fans.
“Everybody can say what they think that we should be doing. In the long end, they’re not qualified to do what [Jerod] Mayo is doing, or whatever the Pats are doing. The fans, I appreciate them at times, but sometimes they just have to know their place and just understand that it’s a work in progress,” Tavai said on the Greg Hill Show.
Mike Vrabel has been making major changes to the Patriots roster, including letting go of a few long-tenured players who had history with former head coach Bill Belichick.
“New coach Mike Vrabel, who confirmed Tavai’s return to practice this week, wants to exorcise a lot of last year’s demons — someone else’s problem — and change the temperature in the room. Tavai, who called out the Patriots’ fan base late last year, could fall victim to those changes,” Edholm wrote.
If Tavai were to lose his starting spot or his place on the roster entirely, fans would be celebrating.
Losing His Starting Role
Even with the addition of Spillane and a best season for Elliss, Jahlani Tavai is one of the most experienced Patriots linebackers.
While losing his starting spot is unlikely, the injury he suffered during organized team activities allows other players to get reps and impress the coaching staff.
Linebackers Monty Rice and Jack Gibbens had their best years with the Tennessee Titans when Vrabel was the head coach. Rice recorded 66 tackles in the 2022-23 season, while Gibbens had 95 tackles the following season.
Given that the pair also has experience playing under coach Vrabel and has history with defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, the duo could see more playing time.
Patriots Marte Mapu has returned to playing as a linebacker after playing as a safety last season.
Tavai would have to impress in training camp and preseason if he wants to be one of the starting linebackers in week 1.
