Marte Mapu is being released by the New England Patriots. League sources indicate that the team have informed Mapu of their plans. The safety/linebacker was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2023 draft (76th overall).
The Patriots’ decision reflects, in part, how they don’t view his salary as commensurate with his projected 2026 role. Mapu was entering the final year of his contract and scheduled to earn a base salary of $1.508 million.
Mapu’s Time in New England
Mapu played 12% of the defensive snaps in 2025, mostly in nickel or dime packages, and totalled 13 tackles with one interception and five passes defended. He played 58% of the special teams snaps and totalled 12 special teams tackles in the 2025 regular season, third on the club.
Mapu played in 44 games (10 starts) in New England, totalling 89 tackles, three interceptions and a half sack. He started nine games in 2024 under head coach Jerod Mayo.
Linebacker Depth a Concern
The 2026 Patriots figure to now target more depth at off-the-line linebacker in the 2026 NFL draft. The team’s depth behind starters Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss has almost been wiped out with Mapu and Jahlani Tavai released, and Jack Gibbens signing with the Cardinals after not being tendered as a restricted free agent.
K.J. Britt was signed to a modest one-year contract to join Chad Muma as projected top backups. They join practice-squad players Otis Reese and Amari Gainer.
Unconventional Beginnings
Mapu didn’t have a traditional position fit. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, he was lighter than most linebackers former coach Bill Belichick preferred and bigger than the safeties he generally targeted.
The hope was that Mapu’s movement skills and take-on ability would emerge in a “newer” role as a higher percentage of defensive snaps played in nickel personnel.
Special Teams Role
Mapu’s greatest contributions came as the personal protector on the punt team. This role could now be filled by safeties Dell Pettus or Mike Brown, among others.
It’s possible another team that rated him highly coming out of Sacramento State offers a conditional late-round draft pick to trade for him.
The 2026 Patriots, with head coach Mike Vrabel entering his second season and Zak Kuhr entering his first official season as defensive coordinator, figure to now target more depth at off-the-line linebacker in the 2026 NFL draft.