The New England Patriots’ roster turnover continues with another veteran heading out the door. As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team is releasing safety Jabrill Peppers.
Peppers, 29, still has $4.32 million of guaranteed money on his contract for this season, which the Patriots will be on the hook for unless another team claims Peppers on waivers and picks up the rest of his contract. If Peppers clears waivers, he is free to sign with any team.
Peppers, who has also played for the Browns and Giants, spent the last three seasons in New England, making 38 appearances and 26 starts. He had a stellar second season in 2023, when he started 15 games with 78 tackles, two interceptions, eight passes defended and an 87.3 PFF grade (5th of 174 safeties).
Peppers signed a three-year, $24 million extension last summer, was named a team captain, and got off to another good start, but then he was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list and missed eight games after getting arrested in early October on charges of domestic violence and cocaine possession.
He was eventually acquitted of all charges in January.
Earlier this week, the Patriots granted release to another veteran safety, Marcus Epps, after he requested it. They did the same with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.
Kyle Dugger seemed to be in the most precarious position of the veteran safeties, but he still remains on the roster as of now while Peppers and Epps are both now gone.
Other safeties still on the roster are Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler and rookie fourth-round pick Craig Woodson. Hawkins and Woodson are expected to start.