One of the longest-tenured Patriots just said goodbye to New England ā and his message was emotional.
After five seasons in Foxborough, linebacker Anfernee Jennings officially closed the chapter on his Patriots career with a heartfelt message to fans, teammates, and the organization.
Anfernee Jennings Shares Emotional Goodbye After Patriots Release
The New England Patriots released veteran linebacker Anfernee Jennings as the 2026 league year began, ending a five-season run with the team that drafted him in 2020.
The move frees $3.8 million in salary cap space for New England, as Jennings was entering the final year of his contract and scheduled to earn about $4 million in 2026.
While the decision was largely financial and roster-related, Jennings made it clear his departure from New England was deeply emotional.
Jenningsā Heartfelt Message to Patriots Fans
Shortly after the news broke, Jennings posted a long message on social media reflecting on his time with the team.
āReflecting on these last six years, I am filled with immense gratitude,ā Jennings wrote.
He thanked the Kraft family, coaches, front office, teammates, and Patriots fans, emphasizing how much the organization meant to his development.
āThe brotherhood we built in that locker room is something I will carry with me forever,ā Jennings added.
He also made it clear that even though heās moving on, New England will always be part of his story.
āIām incredibly excited for the next chapterā¦ but New England will always hold a massive piece of my heart.ā
A Reliable Defender in New England
Jennings quietly became one of the Patriotsā most dependable defensive players during his tenure.
Last season he recorded:
ā¢ 26 tackles ā¢ 2 sacks ā¢ 5 tackles for loss ā¢ 7 quarterback hits ā¢ 1 fumble recovery
He also contributed heavily on special teams, playing nearly 45% of the teamās snaps in the third phase.
Strong Playoff Performance
Jenningsā impact was particularly noticeable during the Patriotsā playoff run.
He started three postseason games and produced:
ā¢ 2 sacks ā¢ 6 quarterback pressures
His leadership and production were significant enough that he was named team captain for the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos.
A Career That Grew Over Time
The Patriots selected Jennings in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Alabama.
His career progression included several stages:
2020: Rookie season in a limited role 2021: Missed the entire season due to injury 2022: Returned as a rotational linebacker 2023: Breakout year with 14 tackles for loss 2024: Career highs with 78 tackles and 2.5 sacks
By the time he left the team, Jennings had established himself as a physical edge defender and respected locker-room leader.
Why the Patriots Moved On
New Englandās decision appears tied to scheme changes and roster adjustments.
Jennings thrived as a run-stopping edge defender, but the Patriotsā current defensive scheme emphasizes aggressive upfield pass rushing, which may not have been the perfect fit for his skill set.
With the team also making several moves in free agency, the front office opted to create cap space and reshape the defense.
What Comes Next
At just 28 years old, Jennings should attract interest from teams looking for:
ā¢ A strong run defender ā¢ A rotational edge rusher ā¢ A special teams contributor ā¢ A locker-room leader
His versatility and toughness could make him a valuable addition for teams needing depth at linebacker or edge.
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