The New England Patriots haven’t seen the production they expected in the first two weeks of the season from top linebacker and team captain Robert Spillane.
Spillane has finished as a top linebacker in the NFL over the last two years, totaling 148 tackles in 2023 (10th) and 158 in 2024 (3rd); however, that aspect of his game hasn't been reflected in his start with the Patriots.
Through two games this season, Spillane has only made six tackles, one sack, and a pass deflection, which is significantly less production than he’s had in the first two weeks of a season being a full-time starter.
- 2023: 21 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss
- 2024: 21 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 2 pass deflections
- 2025: 6 tackles, 1 pass deflection
Patriots LB Robert Spillane Struggles in His First 2 Games with New England
It’s not so much the low quantity of tackles that is concerning; it’s the high amount of missed tackles that is surprising to see from a player of Spillane’s caliber as a top tackler in the league.
According to Pro Football Focus, Spillane had three missed tackles against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 and then he had five in Week 2. The missed tackles in the Dolphins were alarming, specifically an open field miss on Tyreek Hill in the beginning of the second quarter where he just bounced right off of him.
The other surprise from Spillane is being a minus in pass coverage. PFF graded him well below league average in pass coverage over the first two weeks of the season, with a 136.8 QBR (11/12, 156 yards, 1 TD).
- Week 1: 42.6
- Week 2: 28.2
Spillane, who’s consistently been a top linebacker over the last two years, is currently ranked at the bottom of the league at the position. This isn’t what the Patriots expected when they signed him in free agency to a three-year, $37.5 million contract.
The Patriots’ depth at the linebacker position is thin after the roster shakeup from Mike Vrabel when he became the head coach this past offseason. They’ll need better production and finishing from Spillane moving forward.
As it currently stands, the Patriots' linebacker room is Spillane, Christian Elliss, Marte Mapu, Jack Gibbens, and Mark Robinson. Jahlani Tavai is on the injured reserve.
It’s worth mentioning that New England started the season without top cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who hasn’t been on the field since July 28, when he got injured in practice. With the Patriots' pass coverage already taking a big hit without its best player on the field, they can’t afford to have an additional setback from what was supposed to be a strong LB room in Vrabel's first season behind the bench.