Mike Vrabel and the new-look New England Patriots have made another statement.
The Patriots are releasing veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, according to multiple reports.
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.)
So, why would the Patriots unceremoniously release one of their longest-tenured players just nine days before their 2025 season opener?
As Patriots Insider Phil Perry explains, the answer starts with New England’s new defensive scheme under head coach Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams.
“For some of the same reasons Kyle Dugger (who is still with the team) is not viewed as a great fit for the new Patriots defense, Peppers was not viewed as a perfect match for this scheme,” Perry wrote Friday on X.
“Safeties in this scheme are going to be asked to play a lot of man (coverage),” Perry continued. “They’ll be asked to play a lot in the deep part of the field. The previous scheme (under head coach Jerod Mayo and DC DeMarcus Covington) valued the physicality that guys like Peppers and Dugger brought as in-the-box types who could re-route receivers and stop the run.”
“There had been signs recently that the Patriots would lean more on Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson at safety,” Perry added.
Peppers did miss 11 games last season, including eight absences while he was on the NFL’s commissioner’s exempt list after being arrested on allegations of domestic violence and cocaine possession. (He was later acquitted of the domestic violence charges.)
But Perry confirmed that Peppers’ release had nothing to do with any off-field issues, and that there had been “no incidents” this year involving the 29-year-old safety.
“I love Jabrill’s energy,” Vrabel said of Peppers earlier in training camp. “I like his passion for the game. I like his energy when he comes in the building. Those things are all very positive.”
“Peppers’ intangibles felt like a fit for Vrabel’s program. His on-field fit was not as snug,” Perry wrote.
Even if Peppers wasn’t a perfect fit for the Patriots’ defense, Perry questioned the team’s decision to remove a starting-caliber safety from a roster that’s not exactly flush with starting-caliber talent.
“My opinion: I still thought Peppers could have a role for Vrabel,” Perry wrote. “This roster doesn’t look deep enough to readily cast aside NFL-caliber talent.”
We’ll find out soon enough if the Patriots’ miss Peppers’ presence; the team hosts the Raiders on Sept. 7 at Gillette Stadium.
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