Jaylinn Hawkins
Getty
Jaylinn Hawkins will leave the Patriots after two seasons
After playing in Super Bowl LX with the New England Patriots, safety Jaylinn Hawkins will join a new team.
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reveals that Hawkins has signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens.
Jeremy Fowler
Safety Jaylinn Hawkins plans to sign with the Ravens for two years and $10M, per source.
Hawkins had one of the better seasons of his career with first-year Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at the helm and under interim defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr.
The safety registered 4 interceptions (career high), 6 pass deflections (tied for career high), 71 total tackles and recorded 1.5 sacks.
Jaylinn Hawkins received an 82.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, which is the fourth-highest grade in the league out of 98 qualifying safeties.
The newest member of first-year head coach Jesse Minter’s defense also received a 79 coverage grade and an 87.1 run-defense grade from the publication.
Now, the safety gets a new start with the AFC North team.
Jaylinn Hawkins’ Departure Comes Shortly After Signing
Kevin Byard Patriots Bears News Bears Free Agency
GettyFormer Bears All-Pro free safety Kevin Byard III.
Jaylinn Hawkins’ departure from the New England Patriots comes shortly after the team signed safety Kevin Byard on a one-year deal worth $9 million.
Byard spent the last two seasons as a member of the Chicago Bears, recording 8 interceptions, 15 pass deflections and 225 total tackles.
The safety will reunite with Mike Vrabel, with the player under the coach from 2018 to the 2023 seasons. Byard was a one-time Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in his time under Vrabel.
The newest member of the Patriots’ secondary has been a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, including receiving the nods in the 2025 season.
Byard has recorded three seasons with over 100 tackles, all under Vrabel during their time together in Nashville.
Losses to the Defense
K'Lavon Chaisson
GettyThe Patriots have lost multiple key members of the 2025 Super Bowl run defense
Jaylinn Hawkins isn’t the only starter defender on the New England Patriots have lost in the 2026 Free Agency.
EDGE rusher K’Lavon Chaisson has also left after a career season, signing a deal with the Washington Commanders on a one-year, $12 million deal.
Chaisson recorded 7.5 sacks in the 2025 season in 16 games played (10 starts), the most of his career. With a career year, the former first-round draft pick used the offseason to secure a high deal.
The departure of Chaisson leaves a big hole in the Patriots’ defense when rushing off the edge. As of now, the only guaranteed starter on the team is Harold Landry, who logged 8.5 sacks last season.
New England parted ways with Anfernee Jennings, which saved the team $4 million in cap space, leaving some rotational depth in question.
The Patriots still have around $31.7 million in cap space to use this offseason, which can help them secure a better pass rush threat off the EDGE, or use on a wide receiver after parting ways with Stefon Diggs.