The New England Patriots are truly breaking with their immediate past.
On Friday, the team announced the release of safety Jabrill Peppers in the latest roster shakeup on what’s quickly becoming one of the NFL’s youngest teams.
Peppers appeared in just six games last season, due to his arrest hours after his 29th birthday in October for allegedly strangling and assaulting his on-off girlfriend.
Following his arrest, Peppers returned to the Patriots to play two of the team’s final five games.
The 29-year-old Peppers, who was entering his fourth year in New England, made the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster and was expected to start alongside Kyle Dugger in a revamped defense.
New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers leaves his arraignment in October
Peppers was acquitted on domestic violence charges and has remained out of trouble
Instead, Peppers’ departure is the latest turn away from holdover players and contracts that were dolled out under former coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo.
Cornerback Jonathan Jones and defensive tackle Deatrich Wise weren’t re-signed this offseason, and receiver Kendrick Bourne and offensive lineman Cole Strange were both recently cut.
Peppers signed an extension in July 2024 after posting a combined 138 total tackles and two interceptions over the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Meanwhile, the Patriots are rumored to be looking for a buyer for Dugger, who was once expected to start alongside Peppers this season.
NFL Insider and podcaster Jordan Schultz reported earlier this month that teams still view him as a good player who has become a bad fit in the Patriots’ current defensive scheme.
But, after giving him a four-year, $58 million deal last season, Schultz notes Dugger’s remaining salary makes any potential deal ‘complicated.’
‘The contract will complicate any deal, and one source said New England would likely need to eat money just to make it a conversation,’ Schultz reported.
