New England Patriots
“He’s not here’s and he’s not under contract at this current time.”
Gabe Jacas has not been present at Patriots minicamp or OTAs. (AP Photo/CJ Gunther)
June 9, 2026 | 2:42 PM
2 minutes to read
FOXBOROUGH — Speaking ahead of the start of the Patriots’ mandatory minicamp practices, Mike Vrabel acknowledged that every player currently under contract with New England — including Christian Gonzalez — is present and accounted for in Foxborough.
But New England did have one absence for Tuesday’s practice in the fields behind Gillette Stadium — 2026 second-round pick Gabe Jacas.
Jacas, a promising pass-rusher selected 55th overall out of the University of Illinois, has still not signed his rookie contract with New England.
“He’s not here’s and he’s not under contract at this current time,” Vrabel said Tuesday of the rookie.
Vrabel did acknowledge that Jacas recently underwent a surgical procedure that has limited him, although it’s unclear whether Jacas’ current absence is due in part to his recovery or to a contract holdout.
Jacas was also not present during New England’s organized team activities (OTAs) last week.
“He just had to have a procedure, and he’s not under contract,” Vrabel said. “We’re excited about Gabe, the person that he is, the play style, his production in college and all that. When that gets resolved, we’ll have him in here, and we’ll coach him. I’m sure we’ll find a way for him to help our football team.”
There has been a growing trend of second-round picks across the NFL entering into prolonged contract talks with their teams — with TreVeyon Henderson not signing his rookie deal with New England until July 18, 2025.
Jacas stands as the final Patriots rookie in the 2026 draft class who has yet to sign his entry-level contract.
“I don’t attribute it to anything other than he’s not here, and that he’s not under contract at this current time,” Vrabel said when asked if Jacas’ contract talks have followed a similar script as Henderson’s last year. “I don’t want to say that there’s a reason for it, other than that that’s what it is right now.”
Jacas figures to be a solid contributor right out of the gate for a New England defense that could utilize his pass-rushing capabilities.
Even though New England signed Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year, $39.5 million contract in March, the Patriots still have to account for the loss of K’Lavon Chaisson, who signed with the Commanders in free agency after posting 7.5 sacks with the Patriots in 2025.
Jacas impressed over his final two years with Illinois — recording 19 total sacks, six forced fumbles, and 26.5 tackles for loss from 2024-26.
Despite his absence over the last month, Vrabel said that he hasn’t grown frustrated with Jacas and the potential for the rookie to be playing catch-up once training camp begins to ramp up late next month.
“Nope, it hasn’t. Not one bit,” Vrabel said. “[I’ve] been excited to work with the players here and have learned that there’s only so many things that you can control.
“Excited about the development of the guys in that room, ones that have been here that are going into their second year, or the ones that we drafted, or the ones that we signed in the post-draft, or the ones that we signed in free agency.”
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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