Ja’Whaun Bentley Poised To Take Next Step With New England Patriots

Ja’Whaun Bentley enters his third season with the New England Patriots on a depth chart far different than his second.

The Purdue product saw Kyle Van Noy exit on a four-year, $51 million contract in March. He saw Jamie Collins do the same on a three-year, $30 million pact in the hours after. And as free agency moved on, so did Elandon Roberts on a one-year, $2 million deal.

Those linebackers combined to play north of 1,800 defensive snaps for the New England Patriots this past campaign.

Their names are listed on the rosters of the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions now.

Bentley hopes to help fill the gap.

“Coming from college to the pros, you surround yourself with great veterans, which we have in our organization,” Bentley said Wednesday during a video conference with reporters. “It’s a huge opportunity to learn from those guys and kind of implement what you learn and add it to your game. I feel like Year 1 to Year 2, took some good steps. But Year 3, we also want to take those same progressive steps to take your game to the next level.”

Since touching down in the 2018 NFL draft, Bentley has spent time wearing the green dot of sideline communication for New England. He’s shown readiness that exceeded the fifth-round expectations – and flexibility that exceeded the label of a 6-foot-2, 255-pound throwback run-stopper.

But a fast ascent as a rookie was halted by a torn biceps that sent Bentley to injured reserve. As he returned to play in every game as a Patriots sophomore, his familiar No. 51 jersey could twice be found in the starting huddle next to longtime captain Dont’a Hightower.

It may soon be more frequently.

Bentley, who became the first three-time captain in Boilermakers history, will turn just 24 in August.

“In order for you to be a great leader, you have to first be a great follower,” he said. “Being in college, we had the opportunity to learn. When you get there, you don’t know everything. You have to go in and kind of learn the ropes a little bit, take in as much advice and leadership qualities from those veterans. It’s the same thing in the pros.

“You have to find the right guys to surround yourself with. The older guys and veterans – pick their brains and be a great follower to see the things they teach and the things they emphasize. In turn, you’ll be able to build your qualities and your character traits that you want to use and add it to your repertoire.”

Bentley recorded 44 tackles, including a pair for loss, by the close of last regular season. The inside linebacker was credited for one quarterback hit and one pass deflection while playing a rotational part.

That part called for just over a quarter of the defensive downs. It called for contributions on special teams as part of kickoff returns and punt coverage.

Free-agent signing Brandon Copeland checks into New England’s linebacker room after accruing recent years in the AFC East with the New York Jets. Michigan’s Josh Uche and Alabama’s Anfernee Jennings also have seats after arriving in the second and third rounds of the draft this spring.

Bentley, who started 36 of his 38 career contests at Purdue, is still getting situated in his.

“I would say this year, just like every year, just looking to find your role,” Bentley said. “Each guy has a role to play. I feel like we stress that a whole lot as an organization – finding your role and sticking with it. So, whatever that role might be this year, I’m going to look to progress, as well as find as many opportunities that the team needs to be filled.”