Jabrill Peppers, the former New England Patriots safety who was surprisingly cut before the start of the season, is expected to join the revamped Pittsburgh Steelers, according to NFL Network.
Daily Mail has reached out to Peppers’ agents and Steelers spokespeople for confirmation.
Peppers appeared in just six games last season, due to his October arrest for possessing cocaine and 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.
His attorney rejected the allegations and in January, the former first-round pick was acquitted on the assault and battery charges. He did admit to cocaine possession, but that charge has since been dropped.
Peppers still faces an outstanding $9.5 million lawsuit from the woman.
‘In a lot of situations, a lot of guys settle because they don’t want the media show, they don’t want their name being dragged through the mud like that,’ he said after his aquittal. ‘But I’m the type of guy, I stand for what’s right.
Jabrill Peppers leaves his arraignment at Quincy District Court after being arrested on accusations of assault and possession of a Class B substance in October of 2024
A former first-round pick of the Browns, Peppers has been a star safety for eight NFL seasons
‘I need to protect myself a little more. I encourage every man or woman who has something to lose, if you ever find yourself in a situation like I was in, you have to record it because that might be the only thing that saves you.’
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. Instead, Peppers’ departure was the latest turn away from holdover players and contracts that were dolled out under former coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo.
Now the former Michigan star joins the retooled 1-0 Pittsburgh Steelers, who’ve added veterans like quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver DK Metcalf before the season.
The Steelers have also added veterans in the secondary, including Super Bowl champion and ex-Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, as well as former All-Pro Jalen Ramsey.
Peppers arrives in Pittsburgh as strong safety Deshon Elliott has been battling knee problems. He recently missed Sunday’s opener against the New York Jets.
He signed an extension in July 2024 after posting a combined 138 total tackles and two interceptions over the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Over his career, he’s eared more than $36 million, according to Spotrac.
