The New England Patriots continued reshaping their roster on Friday with the release of starting safety Jabrill Peppers. The move comes after the team made several adjustments following the NFL roster deadline.
Peppers, 29, broke into the league as a first‑round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2017. He was traded to the New York Giants in 2019 and joined the Patriots as a free agent in 2022. Coming off a torn ACL at the time, Peppers signed a one-year, $2 million deal with New England and quickly became a versatile piece in the secondary. Over three seasons with the Patriots, he started 26 of 38 games, contributing as a reliable multi‑faceted defender and racking up 178 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and recoveries, and one sack.
Peppers also signed contract extensions with the team in 2023 and 2024. The latest agreement added three years and $25 million to his prior contract, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season.
The Patriots, who had recently brought in head coach Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, had plans that apparently differed from Peppers’ trajectory. Despite spending nearly all of training camp with the starters, Peppers has now been released, marking another notable shift as New England continues to refine its defensive backfield.
Implications include a refreshed safety depth chart and expanded opportunities for younger players to prove themselves. The move also offers the Patriots more cap flexibility as they adjust to the evolving needs of the defense and the team’s long-term plans.
Summary: The Patriots released veteran safety Jabrill Peppers after a multi-year run in New England, freeing up cap space and opening the door for younger defensive backs while the team continues its roster adjustments under new leadership.
A hopeful note: the departure can accelerate the development of internal talent and could lead to a sharper, more dynamic safety group as the season progresses. The team’s ability to adapt its lineup demonstrates ongoing commitment to building a flexible, competitive defense.