Patriots decline to tender linebacker Jack Gibbens as restricted free agent, per report
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Jack Gibbens #51 of the New England Patriots stands on the field after a making a play during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesJack Gibbens officially reached the NFL's open market at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
The New England Patriots declined to tender the linebacker prior to the start of the 2026 league year, as first reported by the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed. Unrestricted free agency now awaits for him.
Gibbens, 27, loomed as a restricted decision in Foxborough alongside quarterback Tommy DeVito, offensive tackle Yasir Durant, defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy and cornerback Alex Austin. He appeared in all 17 games last season while tallying 81 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
The 6-foot-3, 242-pound product of Abilene Christian and Minnesota began his NFL career with head coach Mike Vrabel's former Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
This story will be updated.