Jahlani Tavai Not ‘Satisfied’ Despite Inking Extension With Patriots
'Last year was last year'
The New England Patriots and linebacker Jahlani Tavai met face-to-face at the negotiation table this offseason, resulting in a three-year, $16 million extension agreement.
Tavai was due for a contract renewal after the initial two-year, $4.4 million agreement from 2022 left the 27-year-old reaching its final campaign before expiration, which would’ve left Tavai earning a base salary of $1.6 million for 2024. But even with New England’s front office taking care of the five-year veteran, Tavai explained why the payday wasn’t satisfying enough during the first day of training camp at Gillette Stadium.
“I feel good, but I’m never satisfied,” Tavai told reporters at training camp Wednesday, per team-provided video. “I’m not going to be playing football for long, so I’m going to keep playing the way I can, and hopefully, I get rewarded anytime I do well. It’s wonderful to see that they wanted me to stay, and I’m going to do everything I can to prove to them I’m worthy of being here.”
Tavai added: “Last year was last year and I have to make sure that I do as good or even better than I did. I think the biggest thing that I always come into camp (with) is making sure that my eyes are good and my communication’s on point.”
When Tavai joined the Patriots in 2021, the second-round product sat on New England’s practice squad but emerged with a breakout campaign in 2023. Tavai finished second in solo (65) and total tackles (110) while recording two interceptions, proving to be an ideal fit for New England’s defense. Even with Bill Belichick gone and replaced by current head coach Jerod Mayo, the organization’s perception of Tavai remains intact.
“It’s a different vibe, of course,” Tavai explained of the Mayo-led Patriots so far. “You can see a lot of people smiling nowadays and laughing and giggling, but I think it still comes down to playing football. We’re out here playing football, the game that we love. And hopefully, we create that team chemistry that we want to have built coming into the season.”
