The Patriots‘ offseason priority to retain some of the team’s younger talent appears to have continued with the latest contract extension news.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Patriots are keeping linebacker Jahlani Tavai around for a few more years. New England reportedly agreed to a three-year contract extension worth up to $21 million (with a base value of $15 million) with the 27-year-old.
Tavai started 16 of 17 games in 2023, posting 110 total tackles (good for second on the team), intercepting two passes, and forcing a pair of fumbles.
Prior to the extension, New England faced the prospect of Tavai becoming a free agent following the 2024 season. He was set to play this year on a base salary of $1.625 million.
Originally a Lions second-round pick in 2019, he joined the Patriots in 2021 originally on New England’s practice squad. Since then, he’s worked his way up the depth chart and looks set to be an important part of first-year head coach Jerod Mayo’s defense.
A priority since Mayo and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf were installed earlier in the offseason has been signing key players to longer-term deals.
This was the case with Michael Onwenu, Kyle Dugger, Christian Barmore, and Rhamondre Stevenson, all of whom agreed to new contracts. New England also retained veteran center David Andrews.
With rookie quarterback Drake Maye potentially taking the reins in the coming season, Mayo will need his defense more than ever. Fortunately, the unit Tavai was a part of in 2023 was one of the better parts of the team.
