Under-The-Radar Patriots Defender Knows Opportunity Awaits

Raekwon McMillan stepped in for injured linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday and played the second-most snaps of his New England Patriots tenure.

The opportunity will continue to present itself after Bentley reportedly suffered a season-ending injury.

"At the end of the day, the opportunity is there, so I have to take advantage of it," McMillan told reporters Tuesday, per the Boston Globe's Christopher Price.

At the end of the day, the opportunity is there, so I have to take advantage of it.

Patriots linebacker Raekwon McMillan

McMillan played 59% of defensive snaps and finished with seven tackles and one quarterback hit. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound McMillan figures to be in line for more playing time with Bentley on the shelf, as his ability to stand up in the run game gives him an edge on early downs.

Jahlani Tavai headlines the linebacker depth chart with McMillan but saw a majority of time on the edge before Bentley's injury. Safety/linebacker hybrid Kyle Dugger also could see more time in the box should Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington wish to get creative.

"I feel like for me, when my brother (Bentley) went down, I didn't know what was going on. But my preparation never changed," said McMillan, adding it was tough to learn about Bentley's injury. "Week 1, I didn't play any snaps on defense, and then the next week, played 40-plus snaps.

"Didn't know if I was going to play. I didn't know how many plays I was going to play. But when I got a chance, I took advantage of it."

McMillan entered the 2024 campaign after he suffered a torn ACL in 2021 and torn Achilles in 2023. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo referred to McMillan as a "tone-setter" during training camp, and lauded the 27-year-old for destroying blocks and flying around.

Replacing Bentley, a defensive captain and leading tackler each of the last three seasons, will be no easy feat for the Patriots. But a complementary effort from McMillan and others will go a long way for New England's defense, which ranks second in rushing yards allowed and fifth in points allowed this season.

Unfortunately for the Patriots, they will have to fill the void without the benefit of a full week. New England travels to face the New York Jets on Thursday night.