The New England Patriots entered the 2025 offseason with a clear mission: bolster their defense, particularly against the run, after a disappointing 2024 season where they allowed the 10th most rushing yards in the NFL. Armed with cap space and ambition, the Patriots made significant investments in their defensive unit, signing high-profile players like defensive tackle Milton Williams, linebacker Robert Spillane, cornerback Carlton Davis, and pass rusher Harold Landry. While Landry and Williams have quickly proven their worth, combining for 19 pressures and 5.5 sacks in the first two games, one signing stands out for all the wrong reasons: Robert Spillane. His $33 million contract is rapidly shaping up to be a catastrophic mistake for New England.
Spillane, a blitzing, downhill-style linebacker, was seen as a natural fit to address the Patriots’ run defense woes. Coming off a productive stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he racked up tackles in a porous run defense, Spillane was expected to anchor the middle of the field alongside Williams. His aggressive, run-stopping style seemed tailor-made for a Patriots team desperate to plug gaps in their front seven. However, the early returns on Spillane’s performance have been nothing short of disastrous, raising serious questions about the wisdom of his lucrative contract.
In today’s NFL, versatility is a prerequisite for a starting middle linebacker. The ability to stop the run is critical, but coverage skills are equally important in an era dominated by dynamic passing attacks. Unfortunately, Spillane’s limitations in pass coverage have been glaringly exposed. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Spillane is allowing a staggering passer rating of 136.8 when targeted in coverage, one of the worst marks among linebackers. His struggles were painfully evident in Week 2, when Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane exploited him repeatedly, turning short passes into significant gains.
Spillane’s PFF grades further highlight his deficiencies. Among 111 eligible linebackers, he ranks:
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Overall defense: 32.3 (103rd)
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Pass rushing: 42.7 (88th)
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Coverage: 28.9 (106th)
These numbers paint a grim picture of a player who is not only failing to meet expectations but is actively hurting the Patriots’ defense. His inability to cover pass-catching running backs and tight ends has left New England vulnerable, even against quarterbacks like Geno Smith and Tua Tagovailoa, who are not considered elite.
While Spillane was brought in primarily for his run-stopping prowess, even that aspect of his game has been underwhelming. Through the first two games, he has missed eight of his 15 tackle attempts, a staggering 53.3% miss rate that ranks among the worst in the league. For a player signed to shore up the Patriots’ run defense, this level of inefficiency is unacceptable. His struggles have put additional pressure on the rest of the defense, negating the stellar play of Landry and Williams up front.
The Patriots’ decision to sign Spillane was predicated on the hope that he could pair with Williams to form a formidable run-stopping duo, with other linebackers or defensive backs handling pass coverage responsibilities. However, this strategy has backfired. Spillane’s one-dimensional skill set—geared heavily toward run defense—has proven to be a poor fit for a league where linebackers must be versatile. Without a reliable counterpart in the middle of the field to handle pass-focused duties, Spillane’s weaknesses are magnified, leaving the Patriots exposed in both phases of the game.
The $33 million contract handed to Spillane is looking more like a financial albatross with each passing week. For a team that prides itself on savvy roster management, this signing represents a rare misstep. The Patriots’ defense has shown flashes of brilliance, thanks to the dominant play of Landry and Williams, but Spillane’s struggles threaten to undermine those efforts. If he cannot adapt his game to better handle pass coverage or improve his tackling efficiency, New England may be forced to explore midseason additions to compensate for his deficiencies.
The Patriots are at a crossroads. With Spillane wearing the captain’s “C” and expected to lead the linebacker corps, his early-season struggles are a cause for concern. The team cannot afford to have a liability in the heart of its defense, especially in a competitive AFC East where versatile offenses like Miami’s can exploit weaknesses. Head coach Jerod Mayo and the front office must decide whether to double down on Spillane, hoping he can adjust, or start looking for alternatives to bolster the linebacker position.
For now, the Patriots’ investment in Robert Spillane looks like a catastrophic mistake. Unless he can turn things around quickly, the sense of buyer’s remorse in Foxboro will only continue to grow, casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a transformative offseason for New England’s defense.