Jack Gibbens nets a $30 million payday by joining the Cardinals from the Patriots!

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 18: Jack Gibbens #51 of the New England Patriots runs onto the field prior to an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images One of the New England’s most-used defenders and special teamers will not be back in 2026. Jack Gibbens, a reserve linebacker and core special teamer during the Patriots’ 2025 season, has decided to sign a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals announced the signing on Monday night, just five days after the Patriots opted not to offer Gibbens a restricted free agency tender. That decision initially paved the way for the 27-year-old’s departure. An former undrafted free agent, who spent the first three years of his career with the Titans, Gibbens joined the Patriots last offseason under similar circumstances as his move to Arizona.

Tennessee had a chance to keep him as an exclusive rights free agent, but also did not use a tender. Once in New England, Gibbens carved out a role as a core four special teamer. Appearing on all of the return and coverage units, he held a prominent role in the kicking game for much of the season and finished third on the team with 357 snaps.

Gibbens furthermore was tied for fifth with 10 tackles. In addition, he was used as a rotational backup linebacker who filled in for starter Robert Spillane during the latter parts of the regular season. In that role, Gibbens started 10 combined games, played just under half of defensive snaps on the year — 604 defensive snaps (47.