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New England Patriots Youngster Already Walking on Thin Ice

New England Patriots
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; A New England Patriots helmet sits on the sideline during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots didn’t have a whole lot of early draft picks this year, as they owned just three selections over the first four rounds.

With their first-round draft choice, the Patriots selected tackle Caleb Lomu. They then bagged defensive end Gabe Jacas in Round 2 before circling back around to nab tight end Eli Raridon in the third round.

The problem? Jacas remains unsigned, and he is the only second-round pick in the NFL that has not agreed to a contract with his team yet.

Jacas has dealt with a plethora of injuries this offseason, which has many New England fans wondering why the Pats selected him so early to begin with. He also did not report to training camp amid his contract dispute.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said he is “positive” that the two sides with reach an agreement at some point (h/t Pro Football Talk), but did not say when he thought a deal would occur. He also said he doesn’t know if Jacas is even healthy enough to practice, which raises even more red flags.

Has Jacas not been communicating with New England? Are the Pats not aware of how seriously Jacas is injured? He had a hamstring injury that prevented him from participating in the Scouting Combine or his Pro Day. He also was found to have a torn labrum and a stress fracture in his foot in pre-draft evaluations

What’s more, Vrabel said earlier this offseason that Jacas — who has not participated in the Patriots’ offseason program at all — underwent a knee procedure.

But clearly, New England doesn’t even know what is going on with the University of Illinois product, who racked up 43 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks last season.

“I can only go by what [Jacas] says. And so when he gets here, we’ll evaluate that,” Vrabel said, via Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. “Of course, we’ll be as smart as we can just to see because we haven’t seen him with us. But I would say that — I’d use the words cautiously optimistic. But again, those conversations have been great, and excited to see where he’s at.”

Pats fans are already more than frustrated with Jacas and the situation as a whole, with many of them questioning the team’s draft process.

Jacas definitely has tremendous potential, but there is no question that he is already walking on thin ice with the organization that drafted him three months ago.

We’ll see when — or if — Jacas ultimately shows up for camp.

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