When the New England Patriots traded up in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, they were confident in their selection.
The team was fresh off a Super Bowl defeat to the Seahawks and was looking to fill a big gap on the defensive edge.
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So, they selected none other than the Illini’s star defensive end Gabe Jacas. To both Patriot and Illinois fans, the pick looked like highway robbery in the second round, and it very well still could be.
But the reports coming out of Foxboro on the rookie haven’t been perfect.
Jacas, as of July 8, remains the only second-round pick from the 2026 draft who has not yet signed.
Jacas sat out the Illini’s Music City Bowl victory over Tennessee due to a knee injury, for which he eventually underwent surgery.
So, logic would suggest that the contract delay is due to a lingering injury, right?
Well, Jacas reposted this video on his Instagram over two weeks ago, giving some fans the impression that it was a message to the Patriots front office.
The video gives fans a slight sense of relief that he will be ready for training camp and the eventual regular season. However, it solves only one of the patriots’ problems, not the issue of the contract.
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Mike Vrabel and Co. will need to figure out this contract as soon as possible, given that Jacas has only attended rookie mini-camp and has been MIA since.
Also, considering that Jacas was a team leader and someone Bret Bielema never had to worry about acting up, this situation is that much weirder.
Regardless of the dispute, after coming to love Jacas in his three years in Champaign, I really hope this contract battle doesn’t affect his rookie year.
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