Are the New York Jets still missing a piece in their linebacker room?
First-year general manager Darren Mougey kicked off the offseason by signing Jamien Sherwood to a three-year deal worth up to $45 million, including $30 million guaranteed. The extension came on the heels of Sherwood’s breakout campaign, solidifying his place as a key part of the Jets’ defense moving forward.
However, New York may still need another reliable option at linebacker. Quincy Williams remains on the roster, but the 28-year-old is coming off a down year compared to his All-Pro season in 2023 and is entering the final year of his contract.
Beyond Sherwood and Williams, the depth chart thins out quickly. The Jets currently feature a group of unproven players likely to compete for roster spots this summer, including Jamin Davis, Chazz Surratt, Zaire Barnes, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Jackson Sirmon, and Jimmy Ciarlo.
With that in mind, the organization should undoubtedly explore adding depth at the position through the draft or remaining free agents. One veteran still on the market who could strengthen the group is a familiar face from within the division.
A former New England Patriot could provide much-needed depth for Gang Green at linebacker.
Should the Jets sign Ja’Whaun Bentley?
Ja’Whaun Bentley, a former fifth-round pick, was released by New England in late March.
In 2024, Bentley started just two games for the Patriots before suffering a torn pectoral muscle, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
However, the 28-year-old was coming off a productive 2023 season, playing in 16 games (all starts) for the Patriots, posting 114 total tackles (five for loss), 12 QB hits, and 4.5 sacks, coupled with three pass defenses and a forced fumble.
While he is not a superstar-caliber player at the NFL level, Bentley has proven himself to be a productive starter for a team’s defensive unit and a more than reliable depth option.
Throughout his seven-year NFL career, the Purdue product has appeared in 83 games (68 starts), logging 509 total tackles (21 for loss) with 29 QB hits (10.5 sacks) and two interceptions, along with 11 passes defended.
In 2023, Bentley’s Pro Football Focus run-defense grade of 67.7 ranked 56th among 111 qualified linebackers (minimum 100 defensive snaps). That figure may not stand out at first glance, but it surpasses the 2024 run-defense grades of every Jets linebacker still on the 2025 roster, except for Sherwood.
For the 2022 season, Bentley was even more effective as a run-stopper, earning a strong 83.8 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked eighth among 182 qualified linebackers.
Additionally, Bentley has proven to be a reliable tackler, with a career missed tackle percentage of 9.3%, slightly better than the average for linebackers (9.5%).
The former Patriot would be an excellent fit for the Jets, offering valuable depth and experience at a position where they lack those traits behind Sherwood and Williams. Bentley would contribute as both a run-stopper and a reliable tackler, and his 6-foot-2, 250-pound frame would provide much-needed bulk to a linebacker corps that features two lighter starters in Sherwood and Williams.
Plus, because he was released by the Patriots, Bentley would not impact the Jets’ compensatory pick formula.
Steve Wilks and Aaron Glenn have a prime opportunity to strengthen the depth at a position of need on their defense beyond the two starters. Darren Mougey shouldn’t hesitate to make the move.
