Patriots Second-Round OLB Gabe Jacas Did Not Report To Training Camp

Patriots’ second-round OLB Gabe Jacas remains the team’s only unsigned pick from the 2026 NFL Draft and did not report to the team’s training camp on Friday. New England HC Mike Vrabel said he is confident that Jacas’ contract situation will get resolved. 

“Every contract is unique, every contract is different, and it’ll get resolved,” Vrabel said, via Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. “I’m positive that it will.”

Last month, reports indicated that medical questions could be holding up a deal between the Patriots and Jacas. The Patriots have been sparse with details, but Mike Reiss confirmed Jacas had a “clean-up” knee procedure that he’s been recovering from. It kept him sidelined during rookie minicamp. However, Jacas has not been with the team since May. 

When asked if Jacas is healthy enough to practice, Vrabel responded: “I can only go by what (Jacas) says. And so when he gets here, we’ll evaluate that. Of course, we’ll be as smart as we can just to see (where he is) because we haven’t seen him with us. But I would say that — I’d use the words cautiously optimistic. But again, those conversations have been great, and (I’m) excited to see where he’s at.”

Vrabel wouldn’t put a timeline on Jacas’ return, but mentioned that he’s spoken to the rookie recently. 

“Well, (we’re) continuing to work through the contract, I think that those have been positive (talks), obviously between the club and his representative,” Vrabel said. “And hopefully we’ll get him in here sooner rather than later. (I’m) not going to put a timeline on it or a timeframe, but I’ve spoken to Gabe personally, and (I’m) excited to get him in when he’s under contract.”

One high-ranking NFL executive hypothesized to Reiss that the Patriots are seeking a level of financial protection in the contract based on the medical procedure, which would explain the holdup.

Jacas, 21, was a three-star recruit and the 75th-ranked edge rusher in the 2022 recruiting class out of Port St. Lucie, Florida. He committed to Illinois and remained there for four years, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors in 2025.

The Patriots used the 55th overall pick in the second round of the 2026 draft on Jacas. He’s projected to sign a four-year, $8.657 million rookie contract that includes a signing bonus of $2.756 million. 

In his collegiate career, Jacas appeared in 50 games over four years at Illinois and recorded 183 total tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, two passes defended, one fumble recovery and seven forced fumbles.