Veteran Running Back Antonio Gibson Released By New England Patriots

This move was always going to happen. Gibson was set to carry a $4.14 million cap hit for 2026, which ranked him as the 21st most expensive player on the roster. That’s a hefty price tag for a running back who was, at best, fighting for the No. 3 spot behind Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson.

The Patriots are now saving $3.14 million in cap space (after accounting for $1 million in dead money), giving them roughly $42 million to work with heading into free agency. Not exactly “buy everyone” money, but enough to make some smart additions if they play their cards right.

Gibson’s Time In New England

Gibson’s debut season in 2024 showed flashes of what made Washington invest in him as a versatile weapon out of the backfield. He racked up 538 rushing yards on 120 carries with a touchdown, adding another 206 receiving yards on 23 catches.

But here’s where it gets interesting: Gibson wasn’t just a ground-and-pound guy. He brought serious juice to the return game, averaging 28.5 yards on 12 kickoff returns. Remember that 90-yard house call against Miami in Week 2 of 2024? That play earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors and helped the Patriots grab their first win of the season.

Fast forward to 2025, and Gibson played just five games before that ACL injury derailed everything. He managed 106 yards on 25 carries with a score, plus six receiving yards on two catches.

What’s Next For the Patriots’ Backfield?

With Gibson out of the picture, New England’s running back room looks thin. Stevenson remains the workhorse, and Henderson showed enough promise as a rookie to lock down the RB2 gig. But after that? You’ve got Terrell Jennings, Lan Larison, and Elijah Mitchell—none of whom exactly strike fear into defensive coordinators’ hearts.

The Patriots also have Fullback Brock Lampe under contract, plus two exclusive rights free agents in Running Back Deneric Prince and Fullback Jack Westover. If both return, that still leaves New England searching for depth and versatility behind their top two backs.

The Return Game Takes a Hit

Here’s something that might fly under the radar: Gibson’s release creates a void in the return game. Before his injury, he was the Patriots’ primary kickoff returner, and frankly, nobody stepped up to fill that role effectively after he went down.

Six different players—Stevenson, Henderson, Jennings, D’Ernest Johnson, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III—all took turns returning kicks, but none grabbed the job by the throat. Based on what we saw in limited action, Henderson and Williams might be the frontrunners entering 2026, but that competition is wide open.

Cap Space and What It Buys

The Patriots now sit roughly $42 million under the projected $304.3 million salary cap for 2026. That’s good for 10th in the NFL—not bad for a team coming off an AFC Championship appearance.

But here’s a wrinkle that makes this whole thing less cut-and-dried than it appears: Gibson qualifies for the NFL’s injury protection benefit. If he remains unsigned when the regular season kicks off, the Patriots could get hit with a $2.1 million charge against their cap. Suddenly, those savings don’t look quite as impressive.

Gibson’s Uncertain Future

The 27-year-old now faces an uphill battle. Recovering from an ACL tear is tough enough for any player, but it’s especially brutal for running backs whose game relies on explosiveness and quick cuts. Gibson will need to prove he’s fully healthy before any team takes a serious look at him.

Throughout his seven-year NFL career, Gibson totaled 3,287 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, plus 1,495 receiving yards and 7 receiving scores. He also returned 56 kickoffs for 1,407 yards and a touchdown.

The Bigger Picture

This move signals that the Jerod Mayo era is officially in the rearview mirror. Gibson was the first free agent signed under the Wolf-Mayo regime, and now he’s gone. Only 23 players who played under Mayo remain with the team heading into 2026.

For a Patriots organization trying to build around second Quarterback Drake Maye and maintain their championship window, every roster spot and every dollar matters. Gibson simply didn’t fit into those plans anymore, especially with his injury status and contract making him expendable.

New England will likely address the running back position through the draft or bargain-bin free agency, looking for someone who can provide the same versatility Gibson brought without the price tag. Whether they find that player remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: the Patriots’ backfield just got a whole lot less crowded.