Mike Reiss
Multiple Authors
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots have knowledgeable outdoors linebacker Anfernee Jennings, their longest-tenured participant, of their intention to release him, sources advised ESPN.
A 3rd-round draft selection out of Alabama in 2020, Jennings joined proper guard Mike Onwenu because the workforce’s longest-tenured gamers – having performed underneath head coaches Bill Belichick, Jerod Mayo and Mike Vrabel.
The 6-foot-2, 255-pound Jennings was due to earn $4 million in money in 2026, which was the ultimate 12 months of his contract. He had a salary-cap cost of $4.86 million. The workforce will create about $3.8 million in cap area by releasing him.
Jennings, 28, performed 14 regular-season video games in 2025, with three begins (32% of the snaps). He totaled 19 tackles, two sacks and 7 quarterback hits, whereas including seven special-teams tackles. He additionally performed in all 4 playoff video games, totaling 16 tackles, two sacks and one go defended within the postseason.
Vrabel named Jennings a sport captain prior to the AFC Championship Game, citing his professionalism and relentless in carving out a task in a wholly new defensive system. That was a degree of delight for the soft-spoken Jennings, who was valued within the prior scheme as a sturdy run defender.
The transfer comes because the Patriots are reshaping their outdoors linebacker/edge place, having agreed to a three-year, $39.5 million contract with Dre’Mont Jones. The Patriots are relying on Jones (6-foot-3, 281 kilos) to present a sturdy, versatile presence alongside veteran Harold Landry III (6-2, 252), with second-year participant Elijah Ponder, 2025 fifth-round draft decide Bradyn Swinson and free agent signing Jesse Luketa additionally on the depth chart.
The workforce may additionally look to the draft to add to the place, which some analysts view as one of many deeper positions.
K’Lavon Chaisson, who led the Patriots with 10.5 sacks in 2025 (together with playoffs), agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $12 million with the Washington Commanders.
