New England Patriots
Tavai had back-to-back 100 tackle seasons in 2023 and 2024 but saw his role diminish in 2025.
Jahlani Tavai AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper
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The Patriots have released linebacker Jahlani Tavai, according to multiple reports.
The 29-year-old linebacker spent five seasons with New England. He had back-to-back seasons with 110 tackles or more in 2023 and 2024 before seeing a reduced role in 2025.
He was the team’s recipient for the 2025 Ed Block Courage Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the principles of courage and sportsmanship.
The Patriots said, when announcing the award, that he had soft tissue injuries in the offseason that forced him to miss time during training camp. During his recovery, he was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease. He eventually returned to the Patriots lineup.
In December, Tavai’s partner announced that the couple had lost a child. They were expecting a girl, but the mother was placed under a medically induced coma after being found unresponsive. The mother survived, but the baby died in her womb.
Before this season, Tavai had a three-year-long streak of playing in all 17 regular-season games.
Tavai played in 12 games this season, the fewest of his career. He recorded 42 tackles with a forced fumble. He played 22 percent of New England’s defensive snaps last season, trailing Christian Elliss, Harold Landry, Jack Gibbens, and Anfernee Jennings.
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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