Patriots Jerod Mayo: High Hopes For Veteran Linebacker

Part of a dwindling number of New England Patriots that have experienced the euphoria of a Vince Lombardi Trophy hoist, linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley appears to be a major part of the quest to earn another.

Bentley, 26, is set to enter his sixth season in Foxboro, playing on the latter year of a two-season extension offered to him last spring. He has risen from relatively meager means as a fifth-round pick in 2018 to start 46 games over the past three years, including all 17 in the most recent campaign. That allowed Bentley to become the Patriots' leading tackler at 125, which included five for a loss and three sacks. 

Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, who knows a thing or two about defensive survival in Foxboro as a first-round pick and eight-year on-field veteran, said that New England's defensive revolution will rely on Bentley in the coming months.

"I would say (he's) a player who is very smart, knows the entire defense," Mayo said, per Pats Pulpit. "He’s fast, he’s big, he’s strong at the point of attack. He’s just a great player.

"I would say he’s always had great leadership skills, and obviously with the loss of Devin ... Bentley will be a huge cornerstone to that rebuild.”

A leadership void lingers in New England after the retirement of longtime secondary prescience Devin McCourty. As he said his goodbyes, McCourty specifically praised Bentley as one of the bastions of hope he leaves behind.

"My guy Bent ... was a young vet as soon as he got here," McCourty said in his farewell speech at Patriots Place. "We looked at him to be a leader as a rookie. I see the growth that he’s had. I know this team is in great hands.”

Bentley has had to step up before, particularly during the trying 2020 season: he shot up the defensive depth chart when the since-retired Dont'a Hightower opted out amidst the pandemic and temporarily held defensive play-calling duties. A relative breakout season in 2021 (where he also broke the century mark in tackles) convinced the Patriots to give him two more years and Mayo certainly seems to believe he's ready for more. Bentley is set to resume his duties in the middle alongside Matthew Judon and Jahlani Tavai. 

Much has been made about who will lead New England's offense moving forward. But appears the defensive power vacuum has been resolved at least until Bentley proves otherwise.  

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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