The New England Patriots and safety Jabrill Peppers agreed on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million on Tuesday. The 26-year-old spent the last three seasons with the New York Giants and was captain of the team for the last two.
The move is a reunion between Peppers and former Giants head coach Joe Judge, who is now an offensive assistant coach with the Patriots.
Peppers’ 2021-2022 season ended when he ruptured the ACL in his right knee in Week 6. ESPN reports that he is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, though.
The Michigan product was a 2017 first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns and spent three seasons with that team before coming over to the Giants in the Odell Beckham, Jr. trade. In his career so far, Peppers has 333 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 25 passes defended.
The news that he’d agreed to a new contract with the Patriots garnered a reaction from NFL Twitter on Tuesday. Most praised the signing by the Patriots and what it meant for the kind of defense they’re building.
Sneaky good signing. Peppers a versatile player coming off ACL. https://t.co/GzL5N4jMr8
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 29, 2022
https://twitter.com/Ryan_Spags/status/1508864081960345605
Feels like the exact type of player NWE covets https://t.co/xM1lsCGsfd
— Big Game Bengal (@BengalYouTube) March 29, 2022
Peppers is an intriguing fit with the #Patriots. Can play in the box, over the slot, and deep safety while also contributing on special teams. Although it hasn’t worked out for Peppers in the NFL, he’s going to the perfect coach to tap into the potential. https://t.co/uM1N76C7oM
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 29, 2022
Versatile new addition to the Patriots' secondary. Played a bunch of different roles for Joe Judge with NYG. Michigan product who also could fill New England's punt return void. https://t.co/jZMslFBVWH
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) March 29, 2022
Peppers also missed five games in 2019 due to a back fracture, so it’s been a while since he’s played a full season. However, it sounds like New England might want to use him in specific situations, cutting down on his workload and making this into an intriguing opportunity for both sides.
[ESPN]
