Patriots agree to terms with LB Jahlani Tavai on three-year, $15 million extension

The New England Patriots have locked down Jahlani Tavai for the long haul.

Sources reported Tuesday that the Pats and the linebacker have agreed to a $15 million three-year contract extension, with a potential worth of up to $21 million, according to NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo.

The news was first reported by Mike Reiss from ESPN.

Tavai has just completed his most successful professional season, achieving a career-best 110 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack across 17 games. He started 16 of these games in 2023. Now 27 years old, Tavai was heading into the last year of an extension he signed in 2022, with a base salary of $1.265 million. His new contract secures his place on the team until the end of the 2027 season.

Tavai, a linebacker who was a second-round pick by the Lions in 2019, had a difficult start to his career. He started 16 games in his first two seasons before Detroit released him ahead of the 2021 season. He then joined the Patriots’ practice squad where Matt Patricia, who was previously fired in Detroit, had returned. Tavai was soon promoted to the team roster. Since then, he has stepped up his game and improved his performance in Foxborough.

The deal continues the trend of the Patriots locking down their in-house talent this offseason, including running back Rhamondre Stevenson, center David Andrews, offensive tackle Mike Onwenu, edge rusher Josh Uche, defensive tackle Christian Barmore, safety Kyle Dugger, tight end Hunter Henry and others.