The New England Patriots remain in need of some additional depth at the linebacker spot after losing a pair of their regular contributors at the position from a season ago, with Jack Gibbens departing for the Arizona Cardinals and Jahlani Tavai being released.
While the team's recent signing of KJ Britt, who saw most of his 2025 playing time come on special teams, helps address this problem somewhat, New England should still be in the market for veteran linebacker reinforcements.
In three of the four games starter Robert Spillane missed last year, the team's defense allowed over 300 total yards; the Quinn Ewers-led Miami Dolphins in Week 18 were the lone exception. If the Patriots are again without Spillane for an extended period in 2026, they may face some trouble, as the roster currently has limited quality backup options to plug in.
Following the initial free-agent signing frenzy, some serviceable veteran talent is available on the market worth exploring on a low-risk, short-money deal. Taking a flier on one of these players would put New England in a much better spot should a situation where Spillane is sidelined arise, and would also give their linebacking corps some much-needed additional experience.
Veteran LB options the Patriots would be wise to think about picking up
Bobby Okereke, New York Giants
Across the course of Bobby Okereke's seven-year career, he has recorded over 130 tackles in each of the four campaigns he's appeared in, in all 17 games. This past year was no exception, as the former New York Giants captain played a full schedule and notched 143 tackles, while adding a sack, 10 pressures, six pass deflections, and two interceptions returned for 54 yards to his stat line.
Although Okereke produced statistically, he did so at a rate lower than in previous seasons. The Stanford product had a 13% missed-tackle rate, earned a 56.3 overall Pro Football Focus grade that ranked just 55th among 88 qualified linebackers, and posted a run-defense grade of 45.5, which placed 83rd at the position.
There were some bright spots, as Okereke's PFF coverage grade of 65.2 and pass rush grade of 65.5 were the 24th- and 38th-highest marks, respectively, league-wide. He also had a recent stretch from 2022-2024, where Okereke posted 393 tackles, created 11 turnovers (two picks and nine forced fumbles), and recorded at least a 73.3 PFF overall grade each season.
According to Spotrac, his current market value is expected to net a contract worth $12.1 million annually, which seems a like a hefty commitment for a player coming off a down year and entering his age 30 season.
No other franchise has appeared willing to shell out that kind of cash for Okereke to date, and if this continues and the cost to acquire him drops into "prove-it" deal territory, New England should take a look at what he may have left in the tank.
Germaine Pratt, Indianapolis Colts
The 2025 campaign started poorly for Germaine Pratt, as he was released after the first four games by the Las Vegas Raiders, who ultimately finished the season as the worst team in football. However, after catching on with the Indianapolis Colts, Pratt turned things around and finished a third straight 110+ tackle season.
In the year, the NC State product logged 126 tackles (second-highest total of his career), six tackles for loss, 10 pass deflections, a forced fumble, and an interception. For his performance, Pratt received a 63 overall PFF grade (the NFL's 39th-best mark), posting a grade above 60 in four consecutive seasons.
Spotrac estimates Pratt will get a one-year, $2.9 million deal this offseason, a price the Patriots should consider if that is indeed what it takes to land him. From 2022-2024, the seven-year veteran caused 11 turnovers (six interceptions and five forced fumbles), and this past season showed he can still be a useful contributor.
Elandon Roberts, Las Vegas Raiders
The Patriots could mull a reunion with Elandon Roberts, who spent the first four years of his career in Foxborough after the franchise drafted him in 2016. The Houston product would return to his former team with now a decade of NFL experience and consistently solid run-stopping abilities.
Roberts finished the 2025 season with a 76.7 PFF run defense grade, which ranked 21st among 88 qualifying players. Since 2024, his 90 PFF run-defense grade is the ninth-highest mark league-wide, and his 60 run stops are 11th best.
However, preventing the run is about the only thing Roberts does at a high level, as his PFF coverage grade of 36.4 ranked 78th, and his pass rush grade of 43.8 ranked 86th last year. Overall, Roberts earned a 57.2 PFF grade, 52nd best in the NFL, as he totaled 90 tackles (third most of his career), six tackles for loss, and a pass deflection.
With a projected market value expected to land him a one-year/$4.2 million deal, bringing Roberts back to New England figures to be a fairly low-risk proposition. His downhill style of play would make him a solid depth add and situational piece.
Shaq Thompson, Buffalo Bills
Injury-shortened seasons plagued Shaq Thompson from 2023 to 2024, as a broken fibula and then a torn Achilles limited him to only six games played over that span. The 11-year NFL veteran bounced back, though, last year with the Buffalo Bills, joining the team on a one-year pact in a move that reunited him with then-head coach Sean McDermott, his former defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers.
In 12 regular-season contests, Thompson posted 56 tackles, six tackles for loss, two pass deflections, a sack, and a forced fumble, continuing to play well during Buffalo's two playoff matchups, finishing with 13 tackles, two tackles for loss, a pass deflection, and one interception he returned for 19 yards.
PFF gave the Washington product a 68.9 overall grade for his 2025 showing (postseason included), 30th highest league wide, while his pass coverage rating of 72.2 was the best mark he's received since 2021.
Thompson is expected to sign a one-year/$2.4 million contract for the 2026 campaign, a bargain price for a player who would provide quality depth and can be a serviceable starter in a pinch. Plus, the prospect of poaching an experienced veteran from a rival in a competitive division (for the second time this offseason) is a bonus here.