The New England Patriots made a shocking move today releasing long time starting safety, Jabrill Peppers.
Patriots are releasing veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, per source. Peppers still has $4.32 million guaranteed remaining on his contract for this season,” NFL insider Adam Schefter broke the story.
Peppers was set to enter just the second season of a three-year, $24 million extension signed in 2024. The move came without warning two days after final rosters were announced. Peppers was never considered to be a cut candidate.
Peppers has started 85 games, including 26 with New England, and has totaled over 500 tackles, seven interceptions, six forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries in the NFL,” Schefter’s post concluded.
The news broke at 12:30 PM Thursday. No elaboration from either player nor organization has been made available at this time.
Patriots Could Start Rookie In His Place
The decision to release Peppers comes off of the heels of his longtime partner in the Patriots‘ safety tandem, Kyle Dugger, narrowly making the roster.
Dugger, who was initially marked as a questionable scheme fit, may have been facing the same issues Peppers’ was in adjusting to the new system.
“Peppers, 29, was a favorite of former coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo for his hard-hitting, physical style of play, especially against the run — a similar skill set to Dugger’s,” writes ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “Peppers’ fit in the new scheme employed by first-year head coach Mike Vrabel was evolving over the course of training camp, as he began on the first unit before being surpassed by Hawkins and Woodson in recent weeks.”
This new duo of seventh-year safety, Jaylinn Hawkins, and rookie defensive back, Craig Woodson, seems to be the direction this staff is heading.
It’s a surprising move on multiple levels — first because Peppers had been a starting safety in New England for the past two seasons; second because his release comes three days after the NFL’s 53-man roster cutdown deadline; and third because the Patriots aren’t exactly loaded at safety. (Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson now project as the starters.),” writes NBC Sports’ Darren Hartwell.
The Patriots now have just one free safety on ESPN’s official roster, Dell Pettus. Beyond Hawkins, Dugger, and Woodson, there is no safety depth on the active roster.
Pats Can Still Trade Jabrill Peppers
In some ways, the decision to make the league aware of their desire to cut the safety before doing so serves as a business decision from the front office.
If he were cut, the Patriots would still be on the hook for the $4 million plus of guaranteed money. By telling the league they intend to make such a move, they leave the door open for a potential suitor to sweep in.
However, Pro Football Talk’s Myles Simmons says it is unlikely.
“By making their intentions with Peppers known, the Patriots could potentially draw some trade interest if a team would like to secure the safety before he hits the open market,” writes Simmons. “But given Peppers’ contract, a trade as an outcome seems unlikely.”
Patriots Release 85 Game Starter In Surprise Move