The Patriots’ decision to release linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley was pretty surprising, considering that he was a team captain last season and made over 100 tackles in three of the last four years.
He played just two games last season after a torn pectoral ended his season, and the Patriots added to the linebacker room during free agency.
But it wasn’t an easy decision to let Bentley go, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said. Bentley had been with the Patriots since he was drafted in 2018. He was a rookie on New England’s last Super Bowl team.