Where do the New England Patriots find linebacker help?
All the pieces around them — a young, sturdy and deep defensive front with a potentially game-changing secondary behind it — seem to be aligned to be dominant.
“Our expectations from the top down, from the coaches to the players, is so much higher than where it was at this point last year,” said linebacker Robert Spillane. “We expect to go out there and dominate each and every play. Every time we let up a play, we’re going to be very hard on us.”
Robert Spillane is the Patriots' lone sure thing
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Spillane right now is the solution at linebacker. Coming in as a free agent from the Raiders, he led the team in tackles in 2025.
But the defense took a major hit when he suffered a foot injury late in the year and missed a handful of games into the playoffs. The vision of Kenneth Walker running amok on a hobbled Spillane and the Patriots defense in Super Bowl LX is etched in people’s minds.
The problem is what comes after Spillane.
Christian Elliss, Khalil Jacobs lead Patriots to linebacker depth
Basically a special-teamer when Bill Belichick brought him in back in 2023, Christian Elliss has made major strides at the position. And perhaps a newcomer like undrafted free agent Khalil Jacobs could emerge.
“I love Christian. A hard-nosed football player through and through, somebody who is willing to do whatever it takes to go out there and get the job done,” said Spillane. “Khalil came in as a professional from Day 1. Undrafted free agent, (he) came in here willing to work, very fluid athlete who loves playing football, physical player who can also play in the pass game. He’s going to have a very bright future ahead of him.”
Patriots linebacker room fills out with camp battles
Veteran free agents Chad Muma, Otis Reese and K.J. Britt, plus rookie Namdi Obiazor, will all battle for snaps as well.
Keeping Spillane healthy and building some kind of inside depth remains a top priority, though.
The 10-year veteran is doing all he can on both fronts.
“Be a good teammate, it’s what I tell myself every day when I walk into the building. How can I be a good teammate? To me, being a good teammate, first and foremost, is going out there and making plays,” said Spillane. “Without that intensity, there is no football … Just being able to carry that intensity, with consistency, is what’s important for me.”
