Jack

Gibbens

Both signings offer depth at positions of need. Gibbens handled 45% of the defensive snaps for the Patriots in 2025 while Billings was in on 48% of the defensive snaps for the Bears. Of particular intrigue is the addition of Gibbens considering the relative lack of depth inside on the second level currently, meaning he could carve out a substantial role for the Cardinals in 2026.

Gibbens entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He spent three seasons before being signed by the Patriots in 2025. Gibbens pitched in as a reliable backup last season, tying for the team’s fourth-highest solo tackles sum with 58. He led the team with nine TFLs. Gibbens, 27, has decent odds of earning a spot on an active roster in 2026.

Spillane and LB Harold Landry (knee) are both good to go. This was the expected outcome, but it is great news for the Patriots’ defense nonetheless. ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported earlier today that both players could be limited to some sort of snap count, but those types of plans are sometimes cast aside once the game begins. Regardless, LB Jack Gibbens has proven himself as a capable backup.

Patriots LB Harold Landry (knee) is also expected to play. Both players were listed as questionable on Friday. ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes that both players might be unable to handle their typical workload. Spillane’s backup, LB Jack Gibbens, could be asked to “step up” if Spillane needs a few breaks. Spillane missed Weeks 15-18 with the same ankle injury, which he aggravated in the AFC Championship Game. Gibbens notably led the team with 20 tackles during Spillane’s late-season absence. Gibbens’ two pass breakups during that span also impressively tied for a team-high.

The Patriots’ first training camp practice is scheduled for July 23rd. This report fails to provide clarity on Tavai’s expected participation status, though ESPN’s Mike Reiss does list LBs Christian Elliss and Jack Gibbens as Tavai’s “projected top competition” for the No. 2 inside linebacker job. Free agent signee, LB Robert Spillane, is locked into the No. 1 spot.

Gibbens was a RFA this spring but the Titans chose not to tender him. He now reunites with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, Tennessee’s boss for two of Gibbens’ three seasons as a Titan. Gibbens made 13 starts in Vrabel’s final year with the team, setting career highs across the board in the process. He will play a mix of defense and special teams in New England.

Gibbens is now free to sign with another club. The 26-year-old linebacker started 18 games with the Titans over the last two years but underwent season-ending ankle surgery in November. Assuming good health, there will likely be a market for Gibbens on a one-year deal.

“That was tough to watch and really unfortunate but he was playing well,” Callahan said after Gibbens rode a cart off on Sunday in a cast. It’s possible this injury lingers into next year. A 2022 UDFA, Gibbens had made 14 and 15 tackles the last two games as a starter and carried a 83.2 PFF grade. Jerome Baker, who came over in the Ernest Jones trade with the Seahawks, picked up as Tennessee’s other inside linebacker next to Kenneth Murray.

The cart came out for Wyatt in the third quarter after an ankle injury that did not look good. The Titans will likely turn to Jerome Baker at one of their inside linebacker spots as the Titans defense gets a little bit thinner.

Gibbens entered the NFL as a UDFA in 2022. He did not make the Titans’ final roster and spent some time without a team before joining the team’s practice squad a few weeks later. He was elevated to the active roster late in the year and wound up with two starts as a rookie. Gibbens rode the momentum into his second season and made 13 starts across 14 appearances. He logged 95 tackles, one sack, and three TFLs in 2023. Gibbens has been a good find for the Titans and tendering him was a no-brainer for the team.