Following the 2026 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots front office has been attempting to identify some diamonds in the rough within this year’s class of undrafted free agents.
Among the players the team has decided to take a closer look at is linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski out of Central Michigan, who the Patriots have invited to their rookie minicamp.
”My mindset is just go all in, I’ve trained very hard for this moment and have earned it,” Kwiatkowski told Musket Fire on what he wants the New England coaching to see from him. ”Now I got to go show them that I’m a hard-nose football player that loves flying around.”
Jordan Kwiatkowski produced in college before Patriots minicamp invite
A two-time All-MAC selection (first-team in 2025 and second-team in 2024), Kwiatkowski recorded 255 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss for 31 yards, four interceptions returned for 99 yards and a touchdown, three sacks, nine pass breakups, and three forced fumbles across 47 games (25 starts) with the Chippewas.
”Personally, I think my biggest strengths are just having a high motor and doing everything in my power to get to the ball and make an impact on each play,” said Kwiatkowski.
Last season, he was named a captain, started all 13 games, and led his squad in tackles (117), interceptions (three), and forced fumbles (three).
The Michigan native noted that players such as Luke Keuchly, Lavonte David, Nick Bellore, and New England’s own Robert Spillane have inspired his approach to the game.
“I’ve seen [Spillane‘s] film and I see similarities with us,” Kwiatkowski said. “We both played in the MAC, and I feel like we both are just hard- nose football players. Obviously, he’s a tough player that flys around and has earned his respect in the league. So, I think I do a lot of the things he does out there.”
The Patriots reportedly invited Central Michigan LB Jordan Kwiatkowski to their rookie minicamp.
— Jack Aylmer (@Jack_Aylmer) April 27, 2026
Listed at 6’1” and 235 lbs. ‘25 All-MAC first-team. Had 117 tackles, 14 TFLs, 3 sacks, 5 PBUs, 3 FFs, and 3 INTs returned for 92 yards and a TD last season. pic.twitter.com/1sLyDCpkDL
Kwiatkowski looks to prove his value for New England
Adding depth at the linebacker spot was something the Patriots still needed to address going into the draft after the departure of Jack Gibbens, and they did so by selecting TCU’s Namdi Obiazor in the sixth round.
Assuming Obiazor, Spillane, Christian Elliss, and free-agent signing KJ Britt are all probable locks for the roster, that leaves maybe one open slot at the position on the 53-man squad, although New England will also likely carry at least a couple of linebackers on the practice squad.
Coming in as a rookie minicamp invitee, Kwiatkowski‘s path to catching on with the Patriots won’t be easy, but he possesses an intriguing skill set that has earned him a shot at the next level. He clocked a 6.98 3-Cone drill at his pro day, which would have ranked third fastest among linebackers who participated in the drill at the NFL Combine.
“I will do whatever is needed to help the team,” said Kwiatkowski. ”I’d play offensive guard if I had to, I love the game and take a lot of pride in being able to play it.”
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