The departure of Jack Gibbens from the New England Patriots has been a possibility ever since the team opted not to use a tender to keep him from hitting the open market. After a few days of speculation, Gibbens has officially signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Let’s dive into what this move means for the Patriots and their future lineup.
Filling the LB3 Void
Gibbens, who joined the Patriots last season on a modest one-year, $1.3 million deal, carved out a significant role in their defense. He played in 47% of defensive snaps in 2025, ranking third among linebackers behind Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss. With Gibbens now donning a Cardinals jersey, the Patriots are on the hunt for a new LB3.
Currently, the contenders for this spot include:
- Robert Spillane
- Christian Elliss
- K.J. Britt
- Marte Mapu
- Chad Muma
- Otis Reese
- Amari Gainer
K.J. Britt, a recent addition from free agency, seems poised to step into Gibbens' shoes.
His experience as a backup linebacker and core special teamer in Tampa and Miami makes him a strong candidate. Additionally, the Patriots might look to the draft to bolster their linebacker corps, as hinted by executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf.
Special Teams Shuffle
Beyond his defensive contributions, Gibbens was a staple on special teams, participating in 65% of the snaps across all return and coverage units. He ranked third on the team with 357 special teams snaps and was tied for fifth with 10 tackles. Replacing this level of production will be crucial.
K.J. Britt again appears to be the frontrunner to fill this gap, given his similar role with the Dolphins last year. However, players like Chad Muma, Otis Reese, and Amari Gainer will also be vying for the opportunity to make their mark on the special teams unit.
Navigating Free Agency Challenges
Gibbens’ exit marks the seventh free agent departure for the Patriots since the legal tampering window opened. With five players still in limbo, the Patriots have managed to retain only two of their initial 14 free agents, resulting in a low return rate of 14%. The retained players are third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito and fullback Jack Westover.
The fate of the remaining free agents, including Thayer Munford Jr., Yasir Durant, Jaquelin Roy, Deneric Prince, and Isaiah Iton, remains uncertain. If no further moves are made, the Patriots’ return rate may stay low.
Despite losing key players like K’Lavon Chaisson and Khyiris Tonga, the Patriots won’t receive compensatory picks in the upcoming draft. Since Gibbens was an untendered restricted free agent, his departure doesn’t qualify for compensatory consideration.
As the Patriots navigate these transitions, their focus will be on strategically filling gaps and strengthening their roster for the upcoming season.