For Samoan football fans, another Pacific Islander is getting a fresh opportunity to make his mark in the NFL.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed Samoan linebacker Jahlani Tavai, bringing the veteran defender to Jacksonville as the team looks to add depth and experience to its linebacker room. The Jaguars announced the move Thursday, with linebacker Jared Bartlett waived with an injury designation in a corresponding transaction.
Born and raised in Inglewood, California, Tavai went on to play his college football at the University of Hawai‘i, where he developed into one of the Mountain West’s most productive linebackers. He finished his Hawai‘i career with 390 total tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks and two interceptions across 47 games. That production eventually made Tavai a second-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, when the Detroit Lions selected him 43rd overall. Now, after seven seasons in the league and five seasons with the New England Patriots, Tavai has another NFL opportunity.
Tavai became a dependable piece of the Patriots’ defense during his time in New England, particularly as a physical run defender and veteran presence in the middle of the defense. He started 51 games over five seasons with the Patriots and recorded hundreds of tackles while becoming a familiar name for Patriots fans. In 2023 and 2024, Tavai started all 16 games each season, showing just how much New England trusted him to handle a significant role on defense. His role changed in 2025, however, as he started seven games and eventually saw his playing time decrease. Tavai finished his final season in New England with 30 tackles and a forced fumble.
The Patriots released Tavai in March, shortly before free agency began, leaving the veteran linebacker searching for his next opportunity.
That opportunity finally came in Jacksonville.
A much-needed addition for Jacksonville
The Jaguars’ decision to bring in Tavai comes at a time when their linebacker room has taken some hits during training camp. Second-year linebacker Jack Kiser suffered an injury early in camp, prompting Jacksonville to bring in Bartlett. Bartlett later suffered an injury of his own, opening the door for Tavai to join the team. And while this signing does not guarantee Tavai a spot on Jacksonville’s 53-man roster, it gives him a legitimate chance to compete for one.
That’s what makes this move interesting.
Tavai has already played in some of football’s biggest environments. He has experience in multiple defensive systems, has started games at the NFL level and has shown that he can contribute against the run. He also brings special teams experience, something that can be especially valuable for a veteran fighting for a roster spot. For Jacksonville, this is more than simply adding another body to the linebacker room. The Jaguars are adding a player who understands what it takes to prepare for an NFL season and who has spent years playing meaningful defensive snaps.
What Tavai brings to Jacksonville?
Tavai has never been the flashiest linebacker in the league, and that’s part of what makes him an intriguing addition. His game has largely been built around physicality, tackling and stopping the run. During his time with New England, he established himself as a reliable early-down defender. There are limitations to his game, particularly in pass coverage, but Jacksonville is not bringing him in expecting him to suddenly become a three-down superstar. They’re bringing in a veteran who knows how to play linebacker.
And at this point in training camp, that matters. The Jaguars will have to evaluate how Tavai fits within their defensive scheme, how quickly he can get up to speed and whether he can carve out a role on special teams. If he performs well enough, he could turn what initially looks like a training camp opportunity into another chapter of his NFL career.
Another Pacific Islander making his way through the NFL
From an Island City perspective, Tavai’s journey is worth following. A Samoan kid from Inglewood who played his college ball in Hawai‘i, earned a second-round NFL draft selection and spent five seasons wearing the Patriots uniform now has another opportunity to prove he belongs. For Tavai, the timing could not be more important. After spending nearly five months without an NFL team, his football future was uncertain. Now, he has a locker, a new defense to learn and another opportunity to compete. The Jaguars may have signed Tavai because they needed linebacker depth. But for Tavai, this could be about much more than depth.
It’s another chance. And knowing the way this game works, a player only needs one chance to change the trajectory of his season.
For a Samoan linebacker who has already had to fight his way through different stages of his NFL career, Jacksonville may be exactly the opportunity he needed.
