Ja'Whaun Bentley Released by Patriots amid 2025 NFL Free Agency

The New England Patriots chose to say goodbye to another team captain Friday afternoon.

The veteran linebacker took to social media to announce his departure from the team after seven seasons:

Bentley had been with the franchise since 2018, and his release means that long snapper Joe Cardona is the only remaining player on the roster to have won a Super Bowl with the franchise.

Bentley has recorded 509 total tackles, 29 quarterback hits, 10.5 sacks and two interceptions in his career. He was limited to just two games in 2024 due to a torn pectoral muscle.

He joins David Andrews, Jonathan Jones, Jacoby Brissett and Deatrich Wise Jr. as notable leaders from the Patriots that the team has decided to move on from. This comes after the team had a second consecutive 4-13 season and fired first-year head coach Jerod Mayo.

New head coach Mike Vrabel has brought in several players, including linebackers Harold Landry, Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens while retaining restricted free agent Christian Elliss.

The 28-year-old now hits the open market and will look to rebuild his value after a lost season.