3 Patriots free agents still remain unsigned by a team
There have been sweeping changes within the Patriots organization since the arrival of Mike Vrabel as the new head coach and de facto decision-maker. One of the apparent goals was creating a new vision that wasn't hampered by remnants of the past.
That led to Vrabel moving on from the last remaining hangovers from the Super Bowl era in New England. Fan-favorite players, such as David Andrews, Jonathan Jones, Deatrich Wise, Joe Cardona and Ja'Whaun Bentley were shown the door.
Andrews decided to retire from playing football, while Wise, Cardona and Jones landed on their feet elsewhere. That leaves Bentley as one of three Patriots free agents who still remain unsigned.
LB Ja'Whaun Bentley
The fact that Bentley remains unsigned is a head-scratcher considering he's one of the better linebackers in the league. He's a proven locker room leader and a former Super Bowl champion. One would think teams would be knocking down the door for his services.
Yet, all has been completely silent on the Bentley front since his release. He suffered a season-ending pectoral injury early last season. Perhaps he's waiting for the right opportunity to jump back in the mix with another football team. Unless he suffered an injury setback, he should have plenty left in the tank at 28 years old.
RB JaMycal Hasty
JaMycal Hasty appeared in 15 games for the Patriots last season and carried the ball 20 times for 69 yards. Most of his work came on special teams, but he was occasionally utilized in the offensive backfield as a change-of-pace option.
He's a shifty veteran with the ball in his hands, and he also has the versatility to catch passes out of the backfield. The Patriots didn't utilize his receiving skills as well as they would have liked, but he was also buried on the depth chart behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.
EDGE Oshane Ximines
Oshane Ximines showed promise as a player who could contribute defensively for the Patriots during training camp. The team was hurting for pass-rushing help, and Ximines initially looked like a player who could boost them in that effort.
There was hope that the Patriots could tap into something the New York Giants couldn't with the former third-round draft pick. However, that hope died quickly in New England. Ximines became an afterthought and ended up on injured reserve early in the season.
Time will tell if the 28-year-old defender has an opportunity to turn things around in 2025.
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