The Patriots kicked off their 2026 external free agency by looking to the edge, signing linebacker Jesse Luketa to a one-year contract. Because Luketa finished the 2025 season on the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad rather than an active roster, he was eligible to sign with New England immediately, bypassing the usual wait for the league’s legal tampering period.

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 253 pounds, the 27-year-old Edmonton native brings a “high-motor” reputation to Foxborough. Originally a seventh-round selection by the Arizona Cardinals out of Penn State in 2022, Luketa spent three seasons in the desert before his brief stint in Los Angeles. His most productive professional stretch came in 2024, where he recorded three sacks and a forced fumble across ten games.

For the Patriots, this move represents a calculated addition to their defensive depth under Mike Vrabel. While Luketa has seen limited action as a primary pass rusher, his versatility is a significant asset; he has logged over 500 special teams snaps throughout his career.

With edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson hitting free agency and the team reportedly looking to upgrade their pass rush through both the draft and free agency, Luketa likely slots in as a rotational piece and a core special teamer. He will enter training camp this summer competing for a spot on the back end of a defensive roster that helped lead the team to an AFC title and a Super Bowl LX appearance just last month.