ClutchPoints
The New England Patriots are no strangers to change. However, the 2025 offseason has ushered in a tidal wave of transformation that may be bigger than most. From the top down, this team has undergone a philosophical shift. They have a new head coach, a returning offensive architect, and a flurry of roster moves signaling a win-now approach.
The competition at minicamp is as fierce as it’s been in recent memory. That means even familiar faces could find themselves on the outside looking in. With fresh talent flooding the depth chart, no job is truly safe in Foxborough. And for these two veterans, the margin for error is slimmer than ever.
The Patriots are undoubtedly one of the winners of the NFL offseason. First and foremost, they moved on from Jerod Mayo after just one season as head coach. They replaced him with another familiar face in Mike Vrabel. A former Patriots linebacker and 2021 Coach of the Year, Vrabel brings credibility, leadership, and playoff experience to a locker room that needed a new identity. He’s also reuniting with Josh McDaniels, who returns as offensive coordinator. That’s development that could be pivotal in the growth of second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
On the personnel front, the Patriots bolstered their defense at all three levels. They addressed last season’s defensive gaps by bringing in Harold Landry III, Milton Williams, Robert Spillane, and Carlton Davis III. The addition of Davis gives New England a top-tier cornerback tandem alongside Christian Gonzalez.
Offensively, the headline grabber was Stefon Diggs. His presence provides the Patriots with a true WR1—something they’ve lacked for years. The draft also delivered big: offensive tackle Will Campbell strengthens the trenches. In addition, TreVeyon Henderson offers electric versatility in the backfield, and wideout Kyle Williams adds even more depth to a suddenly talented receiving corps.
Here we’ll try to look at the two New England Patriots players who may be in danger of getting cut after their 2025 minicamp.
If you followed the Patriots closely under Bill Belichick, you know Jahlani Tavai was a fixture. He is a heady, physical linebacker who did a little bit of everything. He was the kind of player Belichick loved: reliable, position-versatile, and tough. However, Vrabel’s vision for this defense is different. That shift could leave Tavai in a precarious spot.
This is no longer the linebacker room Tavai once anchored. Landry is expected to play a hybrid role, while Christian Elliss and Spillane bring new skill sets. 2024 third-round pick Marcellas Dial has also drawn rave reviews for his athleticism and coverage instincts. This unit is getting faster and more fluid. These don’t necessarily describe Tavai’s downhill, contact-heavy style.
Add in the fact that Tavai is coming off an injury, and suddenly, his path to a roster spot looks murky. He’s no longer the scheme-perfect puzzle piece he once was.
Letting go of Tavai would be a significant shift, symbolically and practically....
