Gabe Jacas signs with Patriots, ends injury holdout

Gabe Jacas signs with New England Patriots

Gabe Jacas, edge rusher for the New England Patriots, signed his four-year rookie contract on Saturday, the first day of training camp, ending a holdout that had made him the last unsigned second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft class. The contract is worth $8.66 million, the standard slot value for the 55th overall pick.

The holdout centered on guaranteed money. Both sides negotiated before reaching an agreement, but the exact guaranteed figure has not been disclosed.

Why Jacas held out

The sticking point was Jacas's injury history. He missed the NFL Combine and Illinois's pro day with a hamstring issue. He also has a shoulder labral tear and a stress fracture in his foot that could require future treatment, and he had knee cleanup surgery earlier this spring. New England did not offer a standard injury waiver during negotiations, which added tension to the process.

Head coach Mike Vrabel was measured on whether Jacas is healthy enough to practice: "I can only go by what he says. And so when he gets here, we'll evaluate that... I'd use the words cautiously optimistic."

Jacas missed the Patriots' first practice of the summer on Saturday.

What he produced in college

Jacas played four seasons at Illinois from 2022 to 2025, appearing in 50 games. He finished with 183 tackles, 27 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 2 passes defensed, and 1 fumble recovery. His 27 career sacks were the most among active Big Ten edge defenders in 2025, second in Illinois program history, and fifth nationally in the FBS.

What the Gabe Jacas signing means for your roster

Jacas has no value in standard fantasy formats. In IDP leagues, he is worth adding as an edge rusher with real sack upside on a Patriots defense that needed front-seven help. His multiple injuries and late camp arrival are legitimate concerns. Watch how quickly he earns reps once he gets on the practice field before committing a roster spot.