The New England Patriots are set to embark on a new era with Mike Vrabel now leading the charge on the sidelines as the team's head coach. As is the case whenever there is a regime change, a switch in coaching philosophies and schemes has caused the departure of a few contributors.
One of the key pieces from the past that will no longer be part of the puzzle under Vrabel is linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley. He had spent his entire professional career as a member of the Patriots, but he'll now be forced to try and find a new home within the NFL.
Fortunately, the former Purdue Boilermakers standout has built enough of a resume during his tenure in New England where he should have a solid opportunity to latch on with another franchise sooner rather than later.
Ja'Whaun Bentley Could Be Next Former Patriot to Find New Home for 2025
While Bentley is no longer a fit for Vrabel and the Patriots, the 28-year-old LB has proven throughout his career that he is more than capable of being an impact player on the defensive side of the ball when healthy. Vrabel recently spoke about what went into the tough decision to cut ties with a leader the likes of Bentley during a video conference with the media.
“These are difficult decisions — players that have been here for a while and made great contributions to the football team before I was here,” Vrabel said, via Adam London of NESN.com. “I know the Kraft family and the organization appreciate everything that they did. These are decisions we don’t take lightly. These are tough personnel decisions that we have to make. Once we come to that conclusion, we be as honest and direct with the player as we can. And that’s what we did with Ja’Whaun.”
With Bentley coming off of what was a lost 2024 campaign due to a torn pectoral muscle, he will have to prove to the rest of the league that he will be ready to go once the 2025 season kicks off. If he is able to do that, whichever team signs him will be getting one productive linebacker. Bentley made 62 consecutive starts from 2020-2023 before the aforementioned pectoral injury prematurely ended his 2024 season after just two games.
Bentley recorded at least 100 total tackles each season from 2021 through 2023, including 8.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. When a player is able to put together the type of film that Bentley did throughout that stretch with New England, it only helps their chances of attracting interest on the free agent market. That should put him near the top of possible additions for every team that needs help at the linebacker spot.
Given his age and track record of production, Patriots fans should expect for the longtime captain to latch on with a new franchise in the not-so-distant future as respective teams' needs will become more clear following next week's NFL Draft.