Patriots Country

Former Patriots Starter Joins Opponent Before Game

The New England Patriots did some house cleaning this offseason. Now, with the 2025 season in full swing, they may find a former teammate on the opposite sideline sooner than they think.
Tyler Geis|
Dec 3, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (8) reacts after his tackle against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Dec 3, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (8) reacts after his tackle against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

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New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have some momentum going into Week 3. Their Week 2 33-27 victory against the Miami Dolphins wasn't perfect, but there were a lot of positive takeaways. The defense came up big, special teams kept them in the game late, Drake Maye looked poised, and there was an iconic footage of Mike Vrabel running down the sidelines in stride with Antonia Gibson.

Now attention shifts towards the Pittsburgh Steelers coming to town, and for a game that could be more challenging for the Patriots, even if it's in front of the home crowd.

Much of the positivity surrounding the Patriots this season, and why they're on many fans' radar right now, stems from the extensive house cleaning they conducted in the months leading up to kickoff. One instance was moving off of linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, who spent the first seven years of his career as a Patriot.

Bentley was banged up for most of the 2024 season, as he only played two games before being ruled out entirely as he suffered a torn pectoral muscle. The Patriots would release him in March.

Now, according to ESPN, the 29-year-old linebacker has signed with the Steelers' practice squad. It's still unclear how much of an impact he will have this Sunday when he returns to Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Bentley is reunited with another former Patriot in Pittsburgh, safety Jabrill Peppers. The two were both team captains last year. All this being said, Peppers' playing time for this week's game is up in the air, as he missed last week's game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Bentley was key in the Patriots' defensive success, even in the troublesome years of recent memory for Pats Nation. In the three seasons before his injury, he was the leading tackler on the team. Bentley would make a tackle on an opposing offensive player 109 times in 2021, 125 in 2022, and 114 in 2023.

Ja'Whaun Bentley after a win in 2023 as a Patriot
Dec 24, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (8) following the win over the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The former Patriot linebacker could be key in aiding the Steelers' defense, as there are some early signs of struggle with the team giving up 149.5 rushing yards in the first two weeks. Stopping speedsters like Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, and TreVeyon Henderson can make for a challenge against the Steelers' front.

Bentley, and Peppers for that matter, look to aid the Steelers' struggles this Sunday if active, and it will be against a team that they once found success with..

Make sure you bookmark New England Patriots on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns, and so much more!

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Tyler Geis
TYLER GEIS

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