Continuing with the LB’s, here’s a look at what the Pats currently have for outside guys…
Under Contract: Matthew Judon, Anfernee Jennings, Joshua Uche, Raekwon McMillan, Christian Ellis, Steele Chambers, Oshane Ximines, Jontrey Hunter
Position breakdown: It’s a crowded room, so behind Matthew Judon, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings and Raekwon McMillan, it’ll be quite a camp battle to see who can earn a spot or at least stay on the practice squad. Entering his ninth season, Matt Judon will turn 32 this year and is entering the final season of his contract. Will the Pats give him an extension? Will he be gone after this season? Is he worth the money edge guys are making? All important questions New England needs to figure out with camp in three days. Judon has been impressive since coming over in 2021. In his first two years as a Patriot he played in all 17 games, racking up 12.5 and 15.5 sacks before his four in four games a year ago. As long as this contract thing doesn’t hang over his and the team’s head, you’ve got to believe he has a bounce back year in him, especially if it ends up being a ‘prove it’ year heading into free agency. As for Uche, is he finally about to be the guy everyone thought they were getting from Michigan? Uche recently signed a one-year deal to return to the team and is now in the definition of a ‘show me’ season. Uche has battled injuries and inconsistent playing time, but they’re going to need him this season. The former Don Brown disciple has just 63 total tackles in his career (48 solo), but did show he can be an elite pass rusher with 11.5 sacks in 2022 before getting just three last season. He’ll need to be closer to the 2022 version if he’s going to stick around long term, but he left millions on the table to stay and has repeatedly said this is where he wants to be. Jennings is entering his third season and is coming off a career high 66 tackles (49 solo) with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. If he can continue ascending, the Pats may have one of those 10-year guys in the system.
Raekwon McMillan is entering his fifth year in the NFL and second with the Patriots. The former Dolphin and Las Vegas Raider, McMillan appeared in 16 games in 2023, but started only one. He had a sack, 26 solo tackles and a fumble recovery for a TD last season. There’s something there ( we think), we just need to see a bigger sample size if he earns it.
After playing 19 combined games in three years for Philly, Christian Ellis joined New England of four games in 2023, making two tackles. Listed at 6’2″ and 230lbs. Ellis could provide good depth, but will clearly be battling for a roster spot.
Steele Chambers is a 6-foot, 225 lb. rookie out of Ohio State. As a senior with the Buckeyes last season, Chambers (who has an elite LB name) had 83 combined tackles (41 solo) and he played in all 13 games in each of the last three seasons. Last year he also had a pick and a PBU. Oshane Ximines (27 years old) joins the Pats after five seasons with the giants. Ximmines played in 16 games as a rookie, four games in 2020, 10 in 2021 and 15 in 2022 before appearing in just three games a year ago. He’s started nine games and has 71 tackles with 6.5 sacks. Jontrey Hunter was a rookie signing out of Georgia State this spring. Hunter spent six years at Georgia State and racked up 96 tackles (51 solo) last season. He also had 1.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. This group of three will all battle for at least a PS squad spot.