With the NFL’s legal tampering period for free agency opening on Monday, a bevy of big name moves were quick to hit the news wire.
While the Patriots were quick to sign edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones and fullback Reggie Gilliam, they also watched as members of their 2025 AFC Championship-winning roster reportedly signed elsewhere.
For some of these players, their departure was always a foregone conclusion. For others, fans will be wondering why they’re gone, and who New England plans on replacing them with.
Here’s the latest on who will be playing elsewhere in 2026, via free agency or release by New England:
- According to MassLive's Mark Daniels, the Patriots declined to tender restricted free agent linebacker Jack Gibbens, making him an unrestricted free agent. Gibbens played in every game for New England this past season, starting eight of them. He had 81 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and four passes defended. Gibbens was a key part of the Patriots' linebacker rotation and stepped up when Robert Spillane was out injured, so his departure could lead New England to add another linebacker at some point this offseason.
- According to multiple media reports, former Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins is signing a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler was first to report that the deal is worth $10 million. Hawkins, who had 71 tackles and 4 interceptions in a breakout season for New England, is joining a Ravens defense already brimming with talent at safety, as he joins a room with All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks. The news on Hawkins signing with Baltimore broke shortly after a deal was reported for three-time All-Pro Kevin Byard to reunite with Mike Vrabel in New England.
- According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots have lost edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency, as he signs a one-year deal worth $12 million with the Washington Commanders. The 26-year-old joined the Patriots on a one-year, $3 million deal last offseason, working his way from rotational afterthought to the team's top pass rusher by the end of training camp. Across 833 defensive snaps, Chaisson finished the year with 43 tackles, leading New England in sacks (10.5), pressures (73), tackles for loss (14) and forced fumbles (3). He was awarded AFC Defensive Player of the Week after his Week 7 performance against the Titans, recording 3 tackles, 2 sacks and a scoop-and-score touchdown - the second of his career.
- According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Patriots are releasing edge rusher Anfernee Jennings. Releasing the 28-year-old will save New England $4 million, creating $3.8 million in cap space. While his role became diminished throughout the 2025 regular season, Jennings was a huge part of the Patriots’ dominant defensive run throughout the postseason, finishing with 16 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks across four games.
- As first reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe has agreed to a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers worth a maximum of $12 million, with $5.75 million guaranteed. Lowe spent three seasons in New England, appearing in 42 games with 25 starts. He started a career-high 13 games in 2024, but was reduced to mostly a backup role on the offensive line this past season.
- According to multiple media reports, former Patriots tight end Austin Hooper has agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons, leaving New England after two seasons. In 2025, Hooper caught 21 balls for 263 yards and 2 touchdowns while appearing in 16 games as the team’s No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry. The 31-year-old returns to Atlanta, the team he started his NFL career with (2016-19). Hooper was a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Falcons in 2018 and 2019, and was a rookie on their 2016 squad that lost to the Patriots in Super Bowl 51.
- According to multiple media reports, former Patriots defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga has agreed to terms on a three-year, $21 million deal with the Chiefs, with $14 million in guaranteed money. Tonga, who spent just one season with the Patriots, was a key contributor to a New England front seven that was among the best in the NFL at stopping the run when fully healthy throughout the regular season and postseason. In 14 games, Tonga amassed 24 tackles (9 solo) while playing nose tackle, and also appeared on offense in a fullback role in certain jumbo packages. Multiple media outlets have reported that Tonga and the Patriots were close to a deal back in December, but that things fell apart as they approached the finish line.
- In case you missed it, reports came down last week that the Patriots would be parting ways with wide receiver Stefon Diggs, saving the team more than $20 million against the salary cap, as well as $6 million in guaranteed money they were scheduled to pay him on Friday. The 32-year-old signed with New England last spring after tearing his ACL midseason in 2024, and led all Patriots’ pass catchers in receiving yards in 2025 (1,013). He was arraigned in Dedham District Court last month on a felony charge of strangulation and suffocation, which stems from an alleged incident involving a personal employee over the winter.
- According to multiple media reports, the Patriots have released linebacker Jahlani Tavai after five seasons in New England. The 29-year-old was under contract through 2027 after reaching a three-year extension worth $16 million ahead of training camp in 2024. He was due $3 million in 2025 and carried a cap number of $5.223 million and $5.318 million over the remainder of the deal. Cutting Tavai will result in $2.887 in total dead money for the organization.
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