Former Titans linebacker joining Patriots in free agency

For the second time this offseason, a linebacker who was coached by Mike Vrabel in Tennessee is coming to New England. On Wednesday afternoon, ESPN's Mike Reiss reported that Jack Gibbens is signing with the Patriots on a one-year deal.

Gibbens, 26, was signed by the Titans as a UDFA out of Minnesota in 2022 under Vrabel. He played 29 games - including 20 starts - over the last three years recording 167 tackles.

In his first two NFL seasons with Vrabel Gibbens played over 60 percent of the snaps for games he was active. Last year his usage dropped to 39 percent, and he recorded 44 tackles in 10 games before suffering a season ending ankle injury. Gibbens was set to be a restricted free agent this offseason but wasn't tendered by the Titans.

This is the second time the Patriots have signed one of Vrabel's former linebackers this offseason. Their free agency period began by them adding outside linebacker Harold Landry.

While Landry plays more on the edge, Gibbens is an off-ball linebacker. He's the second player at that position to sign with the Patriots this offseason after Robert Spillane. The Patriots also have Ja'Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai under contract at the position, while Christian Elliss is tendered as a restricted free agent (although he took a visit to the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this week).