Latest news with #JackGibbens
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Ex-Titan Jack Gibbens Brings More Than A Nickname To Patriots
Former Tennessee Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens signed a one-year contract with head coach Mike ... More Vrabel's New England Patriots in March. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) An old nickname could be back in circulation for Jack Gibbens. 'Dr. Gibby.' The New England Patriots linebacker acquired it from past and present head coach Mike Vrabel as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2022. 'I guess it was my rookie year. He just started calling me 'Dr. Gibby,'' Gibbens told reporters during his Thursday press conference at Gillette Stadium. 'Like in rookie minicamp and stuff, he likes to ask a lot of questions, quiz people. And I answered a few right and he started calling me 'Doctor.' I had to let him know that I didn't study medicine in school, but yeah, he let me know it was a joke.' Gibbens, 26, held a 4.0 GPA as a double major in accounting and financial management at Abilene Christian University. Twice a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American, he went on to earn his master's degree in accounting as a graduate student at the University of Minnesota. Earning a 53-man NFL roster spot was up next for the former All-Big Ten honorable mention. After clearing waivers at the end of his rookie preseason, Gibbens made his way on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster as fall turned to winter. The 6-foot-3, 242-pound off-the-ball linebacker went on to appear in 29 games during his run in Nashville, starting 20. He had a hand in 167 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one interception across 1,078 snaps on defense as well as 466 snaps on special teams. 'It's kind of been a crazy journey for me,' Gibbens said. 'Coming in as an undrafted guy, had to kind of fight and scratch for every opportunity I got. And I got the opportunity to get on the field a little bit in Tennessee, felt like I had some success, and last year was kind of a rocky year for me with some stuff happening kind of outside of my control.' On the heels of a breakout 2023 season under Vrabel, Gibbens' 2024 under new Titans head coach Brian Callahan ended in November due to ankle surgery. In the weeks prior to being carted off and placed on injured reserve, he tallied a team-high 14 tackles against the Patriots and split a sack on rookie quarterback Drake Maye. 'Then I got my opportunity, felt like I was playing good and then go down with an injury. So that's kind of been the story of my career,' added Gibbens. 'But just trying to stay resilient, keep working hard and just continue to fight and earn any opportunities that I can get, and then make the most of them when I get them.' After not being tendered by Tennessee as a restricted free agent in March, Gibbens visited Foxborough. A one-year contract followed. It brings a $1.1 million base salary and a cap charge of $1.365 million, per It also brings connections. Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, defensive line coach Clint McMillan, inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr, cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton and safeties coach Scott Booker are among the Titans ties with the 2025 Patriots. 'The big reason I wanted to come here was just familiarity with this coaching staff,' Gibbens said. 'With the type of football they want to play here, I feel like it aligns with who I am and the type of player and person I want to be. I wanted to get back in that environment.' Time will tell whether the old nickname from Vrabel spreads. 'Not many other people have caught onto it, but yeah, he still calls me 'Doc' every now and then,' Gibbens said.
USA Today
20-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Grading the Patriots signing of LB Jack Gibbens
Grading the Patriots signing of LB Jack Gibbens The New England Patriots continued to load up at linebacker in free agency by signing former Tennessee Titans defender Jack Gibbens. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has experience working with Gibbens during his run in Tennessee. He was the one who signed the former University of Minnesota standout as an undrafted free agent. So he likely already has an idea of how he wants to utilize the 26-year-old veteran on defense. Along with Gibbens, the Patriots have signed Harold Landry III, Robert Spillane and K'Lavon Chaisson. It's safe to say the linebacker room will look drastically different in 2025. Here's our initial grade on the signing: Contract details One-year deal Grade: B This was an underrated signing for the Patriots, but Gibbens plays with relentless pursuit and efficiency. He got his first major opportunity under Vrabel back in 2023, when he started in 13 games for the Titans. During that run, he racked up 95 tackles, one sack and three pass deflections. His role diminished considerably the following season when Vrabel was fired, but he still made the most of his snaps by netting 44 tackles in 10 game appearances. He finished with an overall 83.2 Pro Football Focus grade, which ranked 12th out of 189 linebackers. His coverage skills could make him a go-to option on third downs, but he has proven himself to be an every-down linebacker in the NFL. More than just signing a bunch of superstars, the Patriots needed to ensure they signed good players capable of improving the defense in 2025 and beyond. Gibbens can be one of those players.
USA Today
19-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New England Patriots agree to terms with ex-Tennessee Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens
New England Patriots agree to terms with ex-Tennessee Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens Just days after word broke that the New England Patriots had potential interest in former Tennessee Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens, the two sides came together on a one-year deal. Jeremy Fowler reports that Gibbens has agreed to terms with the Patriots and will reunite with former head coach Mike Vrabel. Gibbens, a former undrafted rookie free agent, was a valuable contributor to the Titans defense and special teams over his three seasons. In all, he played in 29 games (20 starts) over the last three seasons, totaling 167 tackles. Some were surprised that Tennessee did not tender him as an exclusive rights free agent prior to the start of free agency. However, this does fit with the complete makeover of the inside linebacker unit undertaken this offseason. Gibbens joins Luke Gifford, Kenneth Murray, Chance Campbell, and Jerome Baker on new teams in 2025. The Titans have added Cody Barton and re-signed Otis Reese this offseason for the unit.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Titans LB considering potential reunion with Mike Vrabel
One of the biggest surprises early in the free agency period was the Tennessee Titans' decision to say goodbye to linebacker Jack Gibbens. Gibbens, a former undrafted rookie free agent, appeared to be ascending prior to suffering a devastating ankle injury that ended his season. So it was a bit of a surprise when he was not tendered as an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) prior to the start of free agency and has now become an unrestricted free agent. While he has not signed with another team, his future destination may be with a familiar face. Mike Reiss of ESPN reports that Gibbens may be on the radar for the New England Patriots and former head coach Mike Vrabel. 8. Tracking Gibbens: Free agent linebacker Jack Gibbens is considering making a visit to the Patriots this week, according to a league source, which would make sense considering his background with Vrabel. Gibbens signed with Tennessee as an undrafted free agent in 2022 out of the University of Minnesota and played in 29 games (20 starts) over the last three seasons, totaling 167 tackles. The Titans didn't tender him a restricted free agent this offseason, making him free to sign with any team. Gibbens would make some sense for the Patriots if he is healthy. He underwent surgery to repair his severely broken ankle in November and was said to be facing at least a four-month recovery period. There has been no word on his medical status or what type of impact that had on the Titans' decision. This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Ex-Titans LB Jack Gibbens 'considering visit' with Patriots
