Patriots linebacker preview: Built in the image of Mike Vrabel, this group could help the defense take a big step forward

Boston Globe

6 days ago

Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
By the numbers:
Advertisement
13:
Elliss set a career high vs. the Bills on Jan. 5, with a 13 tackles, the most of the season in a game for any Patriot.
70:
Tavai is the only NFL player in the last decade to play at least 70 percent of the snaps on offense or defense and 70 percent of the snaps on special teams, which he accomplished in 2023.
The skinny:
After an offseason of turnover, no area of the roster provides a better example of new coach Mike Vrabel's football philosophy than the linebackers. The Patriots acquired multiple players who might best be described as Vrabel guys in Spillane, Gibbens, and Landry. All of them played for Vrabel earlier in their careers.
Advertisement
Of the newcomers, Spillane figures to be a central figure. The former Raider was in the middle of the action at spring practices, and he saw his playing time increase when Tavai went down with a lower-body injury. Look for Spillane to wear the green dot on his helmet this season.
Landry, who has 50.5 sacks in six seasons, should provide a boost off the edge in passing situations. Gibbens should provide depth in the middle, as well as special teams value. (He played almost 40 percent of the special teams snaps for the Titans in 2024). One new face that was a bit of a surprise this spring was Chaisson, as the former Raider and Jaguar flashed positively off the edge and could evolve into a nice depth addition.
As for the impact returnees, it's a bit of a mixed bag. Jennings will be part of the conversation as an edge presence on early downs. Meanwhile, Tavai (who had a career-high 115 tackles in 2024) is looking to win back the fan base
Elliss has had a career renaissance the last couple of seasons, going from fringe journeyman to every-down linebacker to being the subject of a mild bidding war between the Patriots and Raiders that saw him return to New England on a two-year, $13.5 million deal. He appeared to slot in nicely next to Spillane during spring practices, another sign his role will continue to grow.
Advertisement
In many ways, this is a group that is made in the image of Vrabel: not splashy, but smart, tough, and versatile. If they can be half as successful as Vrabel was when he played, it should help the defense take a big step forward.
How does this position rate against the rest of the league?
With the additions of Landry, Spillane, and Gibbens, this group probably went from the bottom third to near the middle of the pack.
Quote of note:
'This is an exciting group to be around, and I'm excited going into this season. You just look at it, and you just feel the excitement and the production you could have going out there, and knowing everybody out there has that playmaking ability.'
— Landry, speaking in June about the defense.
Biggest story lines:
Is Landry capable of delivering a burst off the edge as a complementary player for the likes of Keion White and Christian Barmore? In his first year with the Patriots, can Spillane grow into the leadership role that's usually asked from an inside linebacker? Will there be a battle for the other inside linebacker spot opposite Spillane?
Christopher Price can be reached at