Anfernee Jennings
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Anfernee Jennings has spoken out about his future with the New England Patriots, amid the challenge of learning a different defense.
The New England Patriots made the decision to release linebacker Anfernee Jennings on Wednesday, March 11. Jennings, 28, spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with New England. He started all but one game between 2023 and 2024, but started just three in his 14 games played in the 2025 season.
Jennings was due to earn $4 million in 2026, the final year of a three-year extension he signed back in 2023. The Patriots now free that $4 million and grab a little more space within the salary cap.
Anfernee Jennings was due to earn $4 million in cash in 2026, which was the final year of his contract. Had a salary cap charge of $4.86 million.
With K'Lavon Chaisson landing in Washington today, and Jennings being let go, Patriots re-shaping their edge position/depth. https://t.co/uSreRu43VO
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 11, 2026
Although he only started three games for the Pats this season, he was still a productive player when on the field. Jennings had two sacks, five tackles for loss, and seven QB hits. He had 26 tackles total.
The move to release Jennings comes almost simultaneously with the loss of K’Lavon Chaisson, who signed with the Washington Commanders today. New England is looking to re-shape the linebacker/defensive end position group, which they’ve already begun to do by signing DE Dre’Mont Jones from the Ravens.
Patriots Re-Working Pass Rush Heading Into 2026
New England may have lost Jennings and Chaisson today, but it will retain linebackers Christian Elliss, Robert Spillane, and Harold Landry III, along with the signing of Jones.
Chaisson was arguably the most consistent performer at the linebacker position for the Patriots in 2025, but his loss has been mitigated by the signing of Jones and the expected growth of the unit as Elliss, Spillane, and Landry enter their second years together.
New England is also retaining Christian Barmore and Milton Williams, so at worst, the entire front end of the Patriots defense is operating at a net-even here in the offseason. The Patriots also still have $30 million in cap space, giving them plenty of room to find another edge rusher on the market.
Maybe that’s Maxx Crosby, who is back on the market after the Ravens backed out of their trade for him following his failed physical. The asking price has surely dropped for Crosby, meaning New England may find itself back in the mix for his services.
Patriots Busy in First Week of Offseason
New England has made five signings this week: they signed WR Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $80 million deal, Guard Alijah Vera-Tucker to a three-year, $42 million deal, DE Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year, $36.5 million deal, FB Reggie Gilliam to a three-year, $10.8 million deal, and LB Jessie Luketa to a one-year deal.
With the exception of Luketa, all four signings were made to upgrade a position in need on the Pats roster. Doubs is a de-facto replacement for Stefon Diggs, Vera-Tucker an upgrade on the O-line on whatever side they see fit, Jones at LB to replace Chaisson, and Gilliam to work as a fullback for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels who loves utilizing that position in his offenses.
It hasn’t been the sexiest week for the Patriots — other big names that New England has been “in” on have been signed by other teams — but their modest, if not strong moves have certainly made the team better on paper.
Now we’re all just sitting and waiting for the A.J. Brown news to hit the fan.