Bedard: With Ja'Whaun Bentley set to be released, who's next to be ousted by the Patriots?

In a not-very-surprising move, the Patriots have informed linebacker and three-time captain Ja'Whaun Bentley that he will be released. It's possible he could be traded if a team was interested, but a release is the likely outcome.

The fifth-round pick in the 2018 draft was set to make a base salary of $4,350,000. The Patriots will save a little bit more than that on the cap, not that it matters.

This move was likely once the Patriots signed Robert Spillane — who is expected to the Mike linebacker and direct the defense — and Jack Gibbens in free agency, and matched the RFA offer sheet on Christian Elliss. All three linebackers will increase the speed and playmaking ability at linebacker - at least that's the plan. Bentley had trimmed some weight but he was always on the slow side, especially in pass coverage. The old saying is, 'If your linebackers are slow, your defense is slow.' That was the Patriots.

And just like with David Andrews, the Patriots are releasing a veteran captain who is rehabbing an injury (pectoral for Bentley) - and announcing it on the day of a free agency press conference (Stefon Diggs).

With Bentley now gone — after stalwarts like Andrews, Jonathan Jones, Deatrich Wise — the question is, who is next?

We'll start with our updated depth chart here.

LB Jahlani Tavai: I was surprised he wasn't the first one out the door after the great linebacker migration. But he does have some edge versatility. Still, he's a big and slow linebacker at heart. That's not going to last long here.

WR Kendrick Bourne: Probably sticks until at least the draft but with Diggs coming in and hopefully at least one receiver high in the draft, it's hard to see him sticking long. Nice vibe guy, but he was around when that room imploded and he didn't really save it. Needs a lot of help to be ready for gameday.

OG Sidy Sow/Cole Strange: Sow completely imploded last season after showing some promise as a rookie. Strange obviously isn't viewed as the next center after they added Garrett Bradbury. Would like to see Strange given another shot with real coaches, but we'll see.

S Jabrill Peppers: Not sure he's fast enough for this new scheme, and he got into trouble last year. They brought in Marcus Epps and re-signed Jaylinn Hawkins. Patriots are overloaded at strong safety again.

S Marte Mapu: Has not been able to stay health at all and it doesn't seem like he's needed at linebacker. Probably gets another camp to prove himself.

DE Anfernee Jennings: Vrabel wants to attack with speed. Jennings is a good player who has improved a lot, but his forte is setting the edge in the run game. Patriots won't be doing that as much.