With the amount of money the Patriots spent on defensive players in free agency, the expectation has been that they will prove to be worth the investment, especially since they decided to mostly skip signing offensive help instead.
For the most part, the defenders have proven to be exactly what the roster needed, with Harold Landry III and Milton Williams among the most impressive, as the duo has propelled the team into the No. 1 spot after two weeks with the most sacks in the league.
Another free agent signing, however, has done the complete opposite, with an underwhelming and often costly performance in back-to-back games to start the year.
Robert Spillane, a highly regarded linebacker whom the Raiders were devastated to see walk in free agency, has been far from what the Patriots need defensively. It's a disappointing development, considering he was named a captain for the season, and his weaknesses need to be dealt with as soon as possible, or the team risks further problems moving forward.
Struggles by the Patriots' linebackers are an increasing problem heading into Week 3
The defensive line has been mostly stout for the Patriots thus far, but the linebacker room has been perhaps the most problematic. Spillane and returning Christian Elliss have been the worst of the group, as they lead not only the team but the NFL in missed tackles through the first two weeks of the season.
Patriots LBs Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss currently are first and second in most missed tackles, via PFF.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 15, 2025
Spillane: 8 missed tackles
Elliss: 6 missed tackles
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Spillane's struggles, in particular, were most noticeable against the Dolphins this past Sunday, as his misses allowed Miami's running backs to run all over the defense, and other shortcomings from the defense allowed Tua Tagovailoa to throw to a wide-open middle of the field on far too many possessions.
That is the kind of performance that cannot continue as the season progresses, especially with some tough opponents remaining on the schedule. It might not deter their efforts against teams like the Raiders (although it did) and the Dolphins, but with the Steelers next in line, there's no room for this kind of inconsistent effort from the part of the team that was projected to be the stronger roster going into the season.
We need to see better production from leaders like Spillane, especially since he was considered a strong tackler when he signed with the Patriots; otherwise, there will have to be some uncomfortable conversations had before it becomes too late.