New head coach Mike Vrabel is evidently ready to build his own defense. The Patriots entered the 2025 offseason leading the league in cap space and Takitaki’s release nets them just $2.68 million in cap space with $1 million in dead money. The versatile 29-year-old linebacker will likely sign with a new team soon enough.

The details of the contract have yet to be reported as the former third-round pick prepares for his first team away from his rookie contract in Cleveland. Takitaki has performed well in a “jack of all trades” role during the first five seasons of his professional career, with elite football smarts and positioning allowing him to overcome sub-elite athleticism. The Patriots typically rely heavily on their linebackers in multiple phases of the game plan, meaning there is the potential for Takitaki to carve out a significant role despite the apparent logjam at the position.

Takitaki led all Browns linebackers in snaps at the time of his injury. He finishes 2022 with 36 solo tackles and 34 assists, with four tackles for a loss and one sack. It's an unfortunate loss for the Browns' defense and bad timing for Takitaki, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season. He could ultimately sign a short-term prove-it deal.

It effectively ends Takitaki's third pro season, one in which his snaps were essentially cut in half from last year. He played just 28% of the Browns' defensive plays across Weeks 1-17, appearing in 15 games. The former third-round pick at No. 80 overall in 2019, Takitaki might find himself on the roster bubble next offseason as he heads into the final year of his rookie deal.