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There are a few big storylines following the Patriots going into training camp this week, and a few are not exactly what any team would be hoping to deal with as they prepare for the season ahead. Other than the impending extension for Christian Gonzalez, which should be coming sooner rather than later, the questions surrounding second-round rookie Gabe Jacas can't be ignored.
The pass rusher was expected to be a big part of the defense this year, especially since it is considered one of the weakest groups on the roster. But the 22-year-old has been missing since early spring practices, with little explanation from the team about why.
Rumors have suggested Jacas was dealing with an injury that he had clean-up surgery for around the draft, while others have claimed his absence revolves around a dispute over his contract.
No matter what the truth is, it's far from favorable to have a rookie away from the team for this long with no resolution to the matter in sight, especially a player who was supposed to be a major part of their defensive efforts this fall.
And now that only looks further from happening, at least according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, who believes Jacas might be headed for a red-shirt rookie season rather than contributing right away.
The latest update on Gabe Jacas is far from what Patriots fans want to hear
During an appearance on NBC Sports Boston's Early Edition this week, the Patriots insider shared his updated take on the situation surrounding Jacas and emphasized how significant it is that he has missed so much time with the team on the field and in the classroom.
Because of that, Breer believes he might be headed to the bench for the 2026 season, which would be a massive blow to the Patriots' plans for the defense after an impressive Super Bowl showing.
"Rookies generally do show up when they're not signed in the spring. That's normal -- and he didn't do that. When you aren't signed, and it's the start of training camp, you don't show up. This moves to another stage, and I think you're inching closer now to the idea that maybe this winds up being a redshirt year for him.
For him to miss not just the on-field time but the classroom time in the spring, and now this is still unsettled going into training camp, it would indicate that it's only going to get harder and harder for him to contribute as a rookie"
This would be the worst-case scenario for a second-round pick, and that might be putting it lightly.
It would be an absolute disaster, and the Patriots need to do all they can to avoid it becoming a reality, whether that's placing him on the PUP list until he can take the field or negotiating his contract with greater urgency; whatever needs to be done should be happening as soon as possible.
The hope is that he can fill the role they projected for him on draft night and avoid any further roadblocks. Otherwise, as Breer later mentioned, they will need to take a hard look at the remaining free agents and strongly consider bringing in a veteran to help their pass rush.
If they don't, it will almost surely be a game-wrecker, and not in a good way, and derail their chances of replicating their 2025 success.
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This article was originally published on musketfire.com as Latest update on Patriots rookie is a disaster that needs to be avoided at all costs.
