Patriots sign Drake Maye’s former college teammate, veteran linebacker

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Patriots sign Drake Maye’s former college teammate, veteran linebacker

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Thu, Dec 18, 2025 ·

2 min read

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FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots added additional linebacker depth on Wednesday when they signed Amari Gainer to their practice squad.

The team also added someone to the roster with whom Drake Maye is very familiar.

Gainer spent most of his college years at Florida State, but transferred to North Carolina to play out his last collegiate season in 2023. The linebacker was a member of the Tarheels with Maye and left a good impression. Now, the Patriots quarterback is happy to reunite with his college teammate in New England .

“Yeah, I played with him my last year in college. He’s a great guy in the locker room,” Maye said. “He’s good on the edge. He’s fast. He’s played inside a little bit. He’s played on the edge. He played inside at Florida State, if I remember, in college. He moved to the edge once he got to North Carolina. So, I know he was with Vegas, and it’s good to see him back.”

The Patriots are dealing with multiple injuries on defense this week. Their linebacker unit has been hit hard. Starter Robert Spillane has his left foot in a walking boot and is dealing with an ankle injury. The Patriots’ leading tackler missed last weekend’s game and looks like he could be out in Baltimore .

The Patriots were also missing starter Christian Elliss due to an illness on Wednesday. To add more depth, the Patriots signed linebacker Chad Muma off the Indianapolis practice squad on Tuesday and then signed Gainer on Wednesday.

An undrafted free agent in 2024, Gainer made the Las Vegas Raiders ’ 53-man roster as a rookie. The 25-year-old played in all 17 games in Las Vegas last season and worked as a core special teamer. Gainer played 380 special teams snaps, finishing with five special teams tackles. He also played 12 snaps on defense.

Maye knows his former college teammate will work hard to help the Patriots.

“I think everybody’s just trying to see what they can do just to help us, whether it’s on game day, throughout practice, or whatever he can do,” Maye said. “I know he’s going to work hard, and I know he’s got a good work ethic.”

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