Patriots rookie Gabe Jacas remains the only unsigned second-round pick in the NFL
The 55th overall pick out of Illinois has not practiced since early May after an undisclosed knee procedure complicated contract talks.
New England Patriots linebacker Gabe Jacas is the lone second-round pick in the entire NFL who has yet to sign his rookie contract, and his absence from mandatory minicamp has added a new layer of uncertainty to one of the more promising offseasons in recent Patriots history.
Why hasn't Gabe Jacas signed his contract?
The holdup centers on medical concerns uncovered after New England selected Jacas 55th overall out of Illinois. Pre-draft, Jacas dealt with a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the combine and his pro day. Post-draft physicals revealed a labral tear in his shoulder and a stress fracture in his foot. He then underwent an undisclosed knee procedure described as a clean-up. According to one NFL executive cited by ESPN, the Patriots are seeking financial protection in the contract tied to that procedure - standard leverage a team uses when an incoming player arrives with unresolved medical questions. The Patriots have not offered Jacas a participation agreement, which is the typical arrangement that guarantees a contract will be signed even if a player is injured before ink hits paper.
What has the Patriots' coaching staff said about the situation?
Head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged Jacas had a procedure and remains unsigned but declined to share specifics. Outside linebackers coach Mike Smith was more direct about the path forward: "As long as he's a Patriot, he'll always have a plan for this year. Will he be a little bit behind? Yeah." Smith's framing suggests the team is treating the delay as a scheduling inconvenience rather than a rupture in the relationship. Jacas did show up for rookie minicamp in May and was present on May 9, though he was not medically cleared to practice. He has been absent from team activities since then, including mandatory minicamp, which carries daily fines.
How much of a concern is this for New England's 2026 season?
The medical picture, while complicated, does not appear to threaten Jacas for the season. Reports indicate he is expected to be ready for training camp, which would give him a runway to get up to speed before the games that matter. The Patriots have otherwise had a productive spring - Drake Maye is heading into year two with increased command of the offense, and new wide receiver A.J. Brown has already made a strong impression on teammates since arriving from Philadelphia. Jacas being a step behind is a minor wrinkle in that broader momentum. The contract standoff is unlikely to drag past training camp, since both sides have strong incentive to resolve it before the regular season begins.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Why was Patriots rookie Gabe Jacas absent from minicamp?
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