Out of the 257 players selected in this year’s NFL Draft, only 18 have not signed their rookie contracts so far. Among them is one member of the New England Patriots.
Gabe Jacas, whose name was called 55th overall in late April, is the only Patriots draft pick who has yet to put pen to paper. In fact, he officially became the last remaining second-round choice in the 2026 draft not to sign his deal on Tuesday.
With the Cincinnati Bengals locking up 41st overall selection and fellow outside linebacker Cashius Howell, Jacas is the last second-rounder without a pact. Speaking to reporters ahead of Tuesday’s mandatory minicamp practice — which Jacas was not a part of — head coach Mike Vrabel refrained from giving much insight into the situation.
“I don’t want to say that there’s a reason for it, other than that that’s what it is right now,” Vrabel explained. “He had a procedure, and he’s not under contract.”
Jacas had a productive four-year stint at Illinois. Playing under Bret Bielema, a former Patriots assistant who became the Illini’s head coach in 2021, he registered 27 sacks and forced seven fumbles, and was voted All-Big Ten both as a junior and a senior.
His success and profile as a player appealed to the Patriots, who traded up in the second round of the draft to bring him aboard. And yet, two months later, there has been no sign of him on the practice fields, leading his position coach, Mike Smith, to admit that he “does [need to catch up] a little bit.”
According to data compiled by salary cap expert Miguel Benzan, three of the unsigned draft pick remaining were selected in the first round. Seven apiece were chosen in the third and fourth rounds.
Despite Jacas being part of the group, there is no reason for panic stations yet at One Patriot Place. Last year, it took the team until July 18 to sign second-rounder TreVeyon Henderson. One key difference, however, is that the NFL generally took longer to lock up its Round 2 picks in 2025.
With the exception of Jacas, that has not been the case this offseason.