“God don’t make mistakes.” Ja’Whaun Bentley’s Instagram post hit like a mic drop after the New England Patriots’ surprise release—part gratitude, part gospel, all grit. The ex-Patriots captain, who racked 509 tackles and two picks over seven seasons, wasn’t just a linebacker; he was Foxborough’s heartbeat.
But in the NFL, even heartbeats get flatlined by cap math. Enter Mike Vrabel, New England’s new HC, who axed Bentley to “get lighter” at LB, sparking a frenzy. Denver and Arizona, hungry for defensive muscle, pounced faster than Travis Kelce at a Taylor Swift concert.
Let’s talk about the Broncos first. Denver’s defense last year had more holes than a Blockbuster Video in 2023. Enter Dre Greenlaw (fresh off a 49ers Super Bowl run), and now Bentley? George Paton’s playing Madden with cheat codes. Bentley’s résumé?
Three straight 100-tackle seasons, locker room glue, and a $6.4M cap hit that’s cheaper than a Russell Wilson Bronco statue. “Our biggest thing,” Bentley once said about New England’s “Process…Progress…Payoff” mantra, “is not letting [slogans] just be slogans.” Translation: The Dude walks the walk.
Meanwhile, Monti Ossenfort—who scouted Bentley in 2018—is eyeing a reunion in Arizona. The Cardinals’ LB room? Akin to The Office’s Michael Scott Paper Company: scrappy but sketchy. Bentley’s 125-tackle 2022 season? That’s Jim Halpert, smirking through the chaos. “Leadership the Cardinals need,” insiders whisper, and Bentley’s Instagram bio “Captain. Leader. Legend.” isn’t subtle.
Godchaux’s shade: When ex-Pats throw grenades
But the real tea? Ex-Patriots DT Davon Godchaux, now with the Saints, is tweeting side-eye emojis post-release. “No loyalty,” he spat, sounding like Succession’s Kendall Roy ranting about Dad’s betrayal. Godchaux, traded for a bag of peanuts (a 7th-rounder), knows the biz: NFL stands for “Not For Long.” Bentley’s response? Pure class: “New England!! Thank You for Everything!!” Cue Ted Lasso vibes—“I appreciate you. I just don’t believe in you.”
Vrabel’s move isn’t personal; it’s Pareto optimal. Bentley’s torn pec in ’24? A $6.4M liability. But in Denver, he’s a bargain-bin hero. For Arizona, a mentor to rookies. The NFL’s chessboard—pawns sacrificed, kings checkmated.
New England’s culture? Once Bill Belichick’s dogma—Do Your Job—is now Vrabel’s reboot. Bentley’s release feels like deleting Tom Brady’s number: necessary, but ouch. Meanwhile, Denver’s embracing him like John Elway’s whiskey stash—desperate for a sip of glory. And Arizona? They’re the kid at the swap meet hoping Bentley’s leadership rubs off like Axe body spray.
Bentley’s legacy? A haiku:
Tackles piled high,
Captain’s “C” torn off his chest,
Business breaks the bond.
Bentley’s Redemption Tour: Ja’Whaun Bentley ain’t done. At 28, he’s healthier than a Whole Foods salad, chasing a ring like Gollum after the One. Denver’s Mile High air or Arizona’s desert heat? Either way, his next chapter’s a revenge arc—Rocky montage included. As for New England? They’ll learn Vrabel’s new playbook, but cutting Bentley? That’s like skipping the last Stranger Things season—risky and kinda rude.
Stay tuned, NFL fans. The LB carousel’s spinning, and Bentley’s riding shotgun.
The post NFL Rumors: Broncos and Cardinals Want Mike Vrabel’s Released Veteran As Ex-DT throws shade at Patriots’ Decision appeared first on EssentiallySports.
