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ESPN NFL Nation reporter Mike Reiss reported on Friday that the New England Patriots are now without last season’s starting mike linebacker, according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Patriots LB Ja'Whaun Bentley says goodbye.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 28, 2025
Expectation is that the team will be releasing him today.
Three-time captain. Has been with team for 7 seasons.
Just said over the weekend he has been fully cleared recently after sustaining a torn pec Week 2 last season. https://t.co/FGsxxJwrQ2
From a national powerhouse prep program in DeMatha Catholic in Maryland, Bentley played excellent football at Purdue before the Patriots picked him in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Bentley's rookie season was cut short due to an injury, but he played relatively unscathed over the following five seasons (2019-2023). Over the seven seasons he spent in New England, the mike linebacker recorded 508 total tackles, 10-and-a-half sacks, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, a pair of interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and 23 run stuffs.
The stout 6-foot-2, 250-pound thumper tore his pectoral muscle early last season, missing all but two games.
Through the New England Patriots' spending spree in free agency, shopping mostly on the defensive side of the ball, one of the most notable pickups was former Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane.
Upon his signing, it was assumed by most that the Spillane and another free agency splash in Harold Landry would flank Bentley who continue to operate at mike linebacker. However, Spillane was a highly productive mike 'backer last year in Las Vegas, recording 158 total tackles, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, and 12-and-a-half run stuffs.
In comparison, Bentley's highest total tackles came in 2022 when he recorded 125 combined takedowns.
It might be safe to assume the newcomer will replace Bentley in the middle of the Patriots front-seven alongside additional newcomers in Landry, Milton Williams, and Khyiris Tonga.
Look for the Patriots to potentially select a linebacker on Day Two or Day Three of the upcoming NFL Draft to fill a need defensively.
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Notre Dame believed to be trending toward surprise choice at quarterback
The quarterback battle for Notre Dame is set to come to an end shortly, and it might be a surprise considering how the national media predicted the race to finish. Per Eric Hansen of On3, head coach Marcus Freeman is set to name the starting quarterback by Sunday when he meets the media. The Irish are still letting the quarterback battle play out until then, but it appears sophomore quarterback Kenny Minchey is the favorite to start at Hard Rock Stadium against the Miami Hurricanes on Aug. 31. Minchey has shown improvement in numerous areas throughout camp, and he has the edge on freshman quarterback CJ Carr in what is believed to be the final week of the competition. "As of Wednesday, the line between 1 and 2 remained blurred," Hansen wrote. "The tiebreaker may eventually go to Minchey, per the source, because of his ability to be a true running threat and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s preference to have that element to put pressure on opposing defenses. "But he also has a preference for QBs who can transcend adversity, and the training camp phase was choreographed to test precisely that. While both contenders responded persistently in a manner that defies their inexperience, Minchey has been exceptional in that regard." Throughout the summer, ESPN writers such as Bill Connelly and Mark Schlabach have written as though it were a forgone conclusion that Carr would win the battle in training camp. However, Minchey appears to be a natural fit for how offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock likes to scheme against a defense. He helped dual-threat Jayden Daniels earn a Heisman Trophy in 2023 and took Notre Dame to a national championship appearance with Riley Leonard. The battle isn't over, but the edge appears to be running Minchey's way.
Aaron Rodgers Recruiting All-Pro WR to Steelers
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Former crew chief frustrated by the 'ridiculous' racing at Watkins Glen
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