New England Patriots Seek Edge Defender After Letting Veteran Go The New England Patriots are reportedly parting ways with veteran edge defender Anfernee Jennings, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move comes as the team looks to address a growing need at the position. Jennings, a former 2020 third-round draft pick, has been a dependable presence on defense throughout his time with the Patriots. During the 2025 season, he contributed consistently, particularly in the postseason when Harold Landry III was sidelined due to a knee injury. Jennings finished the season with 26 tackles, two sacks, one fumble recovery, and seven quarterback hits. His departure leaves the Patriots with a depleted edge defense, as K’Lavon Chaisson is set to join the Washington Commanders, and Landry, an aging player, struggled with injuries last season. While the team has signed veteran free agent Dre’Mont Jones, they will need additional moves to strengthen the position. The Patriots’ edge defense is now their most pressing priority. With Landry’s injury history and Chaisson’s departure, the team faces a significant gap in production. Jennings’ experience, including 40 career starts, makes him a valuable asset for his next team, though his lack of explosive pass-rushing ability may limit his impact. To fill the void, the Patriots have several options. They possess 11 draft picks that could be used in trades to acquire a player, or they may focus on the 2026 NFL Draft to bring in younger talent. The team’s strategy will likely involve a combination of free agency and the draft to rebuild their edge rusher corps. The decision to release Jennings reflects the Patriots’ willingness to make tough choices to improve their roster.#new_england_patriots #adam_schefter #klavon_chaisson #anfernee_jennings #harold_landry_iii
Patriots to Release Longest-Tenured Player in Free Agency Move The New England Patriots are set to part ways with their longest-tenured player, Anfernee Jennings, as the team moves forward with its roster adjustments ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The decision to release Jennings, who joined the team as a third-round draft pick in 2020, was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move comes as the Patriots begin their free agency window, with the league year set to officially open at 4 p.m. ET. Jennings, 28, was selected 87th overall by the Patriots in the 2020 draft, marking the start of his NFL career. Initially used as a role player, he gained more prominence in 2023 when Pro Bowler Matthew Judon missed most of the season due to injury. Jennings stepped into a starting role and emerged as one of the league’s top run-defending outside linebackers. His performance continued under new head coach Jerod Mayo in 2024, though his playing time decreased when Mike Vrabel took over as head coach. Despite an increased workload during the 2024 season, Jennings finished with a defensive playing time share of 32%, his lowest since 2022. Over his six seasons with the Patriots, Jennings accumulated 79 combined regular season and playoff games. His career totals include 233 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles and recoveries. Entering the final year of his contract, Jennings’ salary cap hit for 2026 was reported at $4.87 million. His departure marks the second edge defender to leave the team on Wednesday, following the reported exit of K’Lavon Chaisson to the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal. Jennings’ release underscores the Patriots’ ongoing efforts to reshape their defense, particularly in the edge rusher position.#new_england_patriots #adam_schefter #klavon_chaisson #anfernee_jennings #jerod_mayo
New England Patriots to Release Anfernee Jennings, Save $3.8M in Cap Space The New England Patriots have notified outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings of their decision to release him, according to sources. Jennings, the team’s longest-tenured player, will be let go as the Patriots reshape their defensive lineup. The move is expected to free up approximately $3.8 million in salary-cap space. Jennings, a third-round draft pick from Alabama in 2020, joined the team as a long-time contributor, sharing the distinction of being the longest-tenured player with right guard Mike Onwenu. He played under head coaches Bill Belichick, Jerod Mayo, and Mike Vrabel during his tenure. The 28-year-old, who stands 6 feet 2 inches and weighs 255 pounds, was set to earn $4 million in 2026, the final year of his contract. His total salary-cap charge for the season was $4.86 million. In 2025, Jennings appeared in 14 regular-season games, starting three (32% of the snaps). He recorded 19 tackles, two sacks, seven quarterback hits, and seven special-teams tackles. He also participated in all four playoff games, contributing 16 tackles, two sacks, and one pass defended during the postseason. Head coach Mike Vrabel named Jennings a game captain before the AFC Championship Game, recognizing his professionalism and adaptability to the new defensive system. This role was a point of pride for Jennings, who had previously thrived as a reliable run defender in prior schemes. The decision to release Jennings aligns with the Patriots’ efforts to restructure their outside linebacker/edge position. The team has signed Dre'Mont Jones to a three-year, $39.5 million contract, aiming to pair him with veteran Harold Landry III.#new_england_patriots #mike_vrabel #anfernee_jennings #dremont_jones #klavon_chaisson
