With just about two weeks until free agency begins, the Patriots have started making moves to fix their roster going into the 2026 season. So far, they haven't done much besides incentivize Mack Hollins amid plenty of rumors about tough decisions Mike Vrabel will have to make, but they just made their first cap-saving move by releasing running back Antonio Gibson.
The veteran looked like a perfect fit for the Patriots' backfield and on special teams, but unfortunately suffered an ACL injury midseason, and TreVeyon Henderson seemingly stole his role.
Given that he was on the final year of his contract, it is unsurprising that Gibson's release is among the earliest moves the Patriots have made, but it also creates a hole within their roster that they have to address now.
Patriots transaction: RB Antonio Gibson released.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 23, 2026
Was entering final year of 3-year contract, no guaranteed money remaining. Coming off torn ACL.
Gibson was set to earn $2.85 million in base salary and count $4.14 million against the salary cap.
While saving cap space is certainly important, so is maintaining a productive special teams unit, and the Patriots have struggled to find their go-to returner for a few years now.
Gibson looked like the guy for the job, providing one of the most iconic photos of the 2025 season, too. But now he will be looking to sign with another team for the 2026 season, while the Patriots will need to find an adequate replacement.
Cutting Antonio Gibson puts the Patriots in need of a reliable special teams returner in 2026
Because Gibson's role in the backfield was seemingly erased with the rise of Henderson and the resurgence of Rhamondre Stevenson, it was inevitable that he would be moved this offseason. The problem is finding someone who can be as productive on special teams, and that won't be easy to fill.
Vrabel and Co. experimented with several players as returners throughout this past season, from Marcus Jones to Kyle Williams, but every week, it was a different person lined up for kickoffs and punts.
That seems like a main reason to keep Gibson around for at least one more season, maybe even by restructuring his contract if that was an issue. But instead, they have cut him, creating a new issue they can't avoid, and it will need to be a priority in free agency.