New England Patriots release LB Jahlani Tavai

New England Patriots released LB Jahlani Tavai, removing him from the roster on March 9, 2026.

Event type: Release
First reported: Mar 9, 2026
Official: Mar 9, 2026
Player: Jahlani Tavai
Position: LB

What changed

Player: Jahlani Tavai
From: New England Patriots
To: Free agent
Effective: Mar 9, 2026

Known details

Compensation: Released by New England (NE), clearing $1.73M of cap

How this move reshapes the Linebackers room

New England Patriots linebackers, this season vs last season — the room this transaction changed.

NEW arrived this offseasonRE-UP re-signedLEFT left after last season- returning players are unmarked

This season · 2026Inside Linebackers Coach: Vinny DePalma

92Robert Spillane8314/1788658487—$12M30.66'1"229

82Harold Landry III8316/179565958977—30.16'2"250

62Chad Muma6113/175324779668$1.2M26.96'3"242

62Dre'Mont JonesNEW6816/17880969268$7.5M29.66'3"281

45Otis Reese4411/172706396—$1.1M28.16'3"225

45Christian Elliss6113/1760847996—$8.6M27.66'2"233

45Amari Gainer4817/173010096—$1.0M26.16'3"235

45Elijah Ponder5315/1730288891—$1.0M23.96'3"245

45Khalil JacobsNEW435/17005050—$1.0M——228

35Bradyn Swinson313/17629189238$1.0M24.16'4"250

25K.J. BrittNEW4615/17570919625$1.3M27.16'0"228

25Namdi ObiazorNEW222/1700505013$1.2M——229

20Jesse LuketaNEW3311/1737062965$1.1M27.56'3"242

20Quintayvious HutchinsNEW162/170050505$1.1M——233

Last season · 2025Inside Linebackers Coach: Vinny DePalma

92Robert Spillane8314/1788658487—$12M30.66'1"229

84K'Lavon ChaissonLEFT7515/17760899683$11M27.06'3"250

82Harold Landry III8316/179565958977—30.16'2"250

62Jahlani TavaiLEFT7615/178696879176—29.86'2"250

62Anfernee JenningsLEFT6415/17750889462$1.4M29.26'3"259

62Chad Muma6113/175324779668$1.2M26.96'3"242

62Marte MapuLEFT6115/17540889666—26.76'3"216

55Darius HarrisLEFT415/1739032870—30.56'2"238

55Patrick JohnsonLEFT5112/1744072965—28.56'2"251