Patriots training camp officially kicked off on Friday, but one name everyone expected to see was nowhere in sight: Gabe Jacas. The guy they picked 55th overall in the 2026 draft, a second-rounder, is still unsigned. In an era where rookie contracts are basically a rubber stamp, this whole situation feels super weird, right? What in the world is the hold-up here?
Coach Vrabel’s Playing It Cool, But The Facts Are Hard To Ignore
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel tried to play it down Friday morning, saying they’re “working through the contract” and that conversations have been “positive.” He’s hopeful to “get him in here sooner rather than later,” but wouldn’t put a timeline on it. Here’s the kicker: Vrabel also confirmed Jacas underwent knee “cleanup” surgery back in June. It wasn’t supposed to be a big deal, but this kid barely participated in OTAs all summer, only showing up for one practice before shutting it down. So, he’s missed nearly everything *and* he’s not even signed yet. The Patriots actually traded up seven spots, giving up fourth- and sixth-rounders to the Chargers, just to grab Jacas. They saw him as a key piece for a defense that needs pass rush help. Now, the dude’s a ghost.
Is The Contract Standoff All About The Knee?
It’s definitely looking like the injury and the contract drama are linked. While Vrabel tries to sound unbothered, there’s gotta be enough concern for the Patriots to want some financial protection, especially if Jacas is going to miss significant time. Rookie contracts, especially outside the first round, are usually slotted deals with routine negotiations. But guaranteed money is the wild card here. Take a look at the picks around Jacas: Eagles TE Eli Stowers, 54th overall, got 81.8% of his contract guaranteed. Jaguars TE Nate Boerkircher, 56th overall, landed 78.9%. That means Jacas should be around 80% guaranteed under normal circumstances. Vrabel says he’s “cautiously optimistic,” which, let’s be real, doesn’t exactly scream “everything’s fine.”
This isn’t just a regular rookie missing a few days. Getting Jacas signed and into camp is huge, not just for his development on a defense that needs him, but also for getting him healthy and on the field. Vrabel insists every contract is “unique” and that it “will get resolved.” After Fernando Mendoza signed his deal Thursday, the only 2026 draft pick chosen ahead of Jacas who remains unsigned is Rams first-round QB Ty Simpson. They need to get this done. The season isn’t waiting!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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