New England Patriots
“I just want to say how grateful I am to be here,” Jacas said. “It was a long journey, but I am just glad to be here and be a part of this organization.”
Gabe Jacas Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe
FOXBOROUGH — Gabe Jacas flashed a smile as he was asked to take the audience through his journey to Foxborough.
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For months, he was the only unsigned second-round pick in the NFL. Contract negotiations dragged on longer than expected over injury concerns.
While fellow rookies like Caleb Lomu and Eli Raridon were able to jump right in for OTAs and minicamp, Jacas spent a significant portion of time away from the team. But, eventually, things worked out.
Jacas was able to make his training camp debut this week.
“I just want to say how grateful I am to be here,” Jacas said. “It was a long journey, but I am just glad to be here and be a part of this organization. It’s a blessing to be at practice and running around.”
Jacas did not elaborate on why the negotiations took so long. ESPN reported that he had a “clean up” procedure done on his knee during the offseason. The contract reportedly includes an injury waiver that protects the Patriots if the knee is reinjured. Jacas signed a 4-year deal worth up to $8.6 million.
“It doesn’t matter. All that stuff is behind me,” Jacas said. “Whatever happened in the past is the past and I’m just trying to focus on the future.”
It didn’t take Jacas long to show his enthusiasm. Video clips of him knocking his position coach over during a rep with the blocking pad got plenty of attention on social media over the weekend. He didn’t mean to knock the coach over, he said, but accidents happen.
“That’s what happens when you’re an old coach like (outside linebackers coach) Mike Smith,” Jacas joked. “He’s a good coach.”
Dre’Mont Jones said the first two things that stood out about Jacas were his eagerness and energy. Milton Williams said the rookie linebacker has been like a “sponge” soaking up information.
But, that doesn’t change the fact that Jacas missed a couple months worth of practice opportunities. Coach Mike Vrabel said Jacas is off to a good start, but there’s plenty of work to do to help him catch up.
“We’ve got some time to make up. We’ve got to make up for lost time, I think, a little bit with Gabe,” Vrabel said. “I’d say he’s working hard. I think he’s into it. He’s trying to learn, he’s focused. A lot of these things are new for him, and I think he has done a good job of controlling what he can control. I see him in there meeting with Smitty [Mike Smith] a lot — and again, there’s a return to play.”
“He’ll have a few more reps than he did yesterday and — these situations he has to just understand, and it’s good to see him get acclimated to the special team stuff,” Vrabel added. “So, I think it’s going well. I think we’re off to a good start, and hopefully he can continue to keep adding things and figure out where he can help us defensively and really, special teams.”
Vrabel hasn’t been afraid to put Jacas on the spot during team meetings. Making the rookie stand up and speak in front of his teammates has been part of the acclimation process. There were some boos at first, Williams said, but eventually the ice began to thaw.
“Just catching me up,” Jacas said. “Bringing me to the front of the room [having me] tell them my name, school, signing bonus, and NIL and just having to come up with a signing bonus or joke. I’m not the best jokester but I try my best.”
With Harold Landry on the physically unable to perform list, Jacas’s arrival should help the Patriots’ edge depth. How much he can contribute depends on his health, how quickly he can get caught up, and the coaching staff’s belief in him.
The Patriots traded up to get Jacas on draft night, and he wears Vrabel’s old jersey number (No. 50). It took him a while to get on the field. Now that he’s here, a new challenge begins.
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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