Patriots Rumors: Key Veteran Making Significant Change For New Scheme

Mike Vrabel has a clear vision for the Patriots, and a key veteran seems to be buying in.

Vrabel and Terrell Williams have a simple approach to their defense. They want to be big in the trenches and have fast, physical linebackers. That vision was embodied when New England signed defensive tackle Milton Williams and linebacker Robert Spillane. However, a new-look defense left questions for mainstays on the roster.

The biggest question marks were on Jahlani Tavai and Ja’Whaun Bentley, who reportedly is taking a proactive approach to the new scheme. According to the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi on Wednesday, Bentley slimmed down to the mid-230s. He played in the high 240s and low 250s throughout his New England tenure.

It’s not clear if this was a directive from the coaching staff, but it does signal that Bentley does have a future at One Patriot Place coming off a season when he suffered a season-ending injury.

The same could not be said for David Andrews, who the Patriots released last week. It’s unknown if Tavai also will have a future in the Vrabel-Williams regime. New England reportedly signed linebacker Jack Gibbens, who has experience playing under Vrabel, so there could at least be competition.