The New England Patriots defense projects as one of the best in football in 2024. That is not just due to its big-name players such as Matthew Judon or Christian Gonzalez, but also because of a sizable group of steady contributors capable of making positive plays on a regular basis.
Few members of the Patriots defense fit that description better than Ja’Whaun Bentley. The veteran linebacker may not qualify as a household name, but he sure has proven his importance to New England’s operation on that side of the ball.
Hard facts
Name: Ja’Whaun Bentley
Position: Off-the-ball linebacker
Opening day age: 28 (8/24/1996)
Size: 6’2”, 250 lbs
Jersey number: 8
Contract status: Signed through 2025 (2026 UFA)
Experience
Before entering the NFL in 2018, Bentley spent four years at Purdue.