Patriots Reportedly Tried to Trade Jabrill Peppers Before Release amid NFL Roster Cuts

The New England Patriots reportedly foreshadowed their decision to release veteran safety Jabrill Peppers.

According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, "One front office source from an NFL team said Peppers' name had come up in trade discussions earlier in August, so the Patriots' decision to cut ties with him didn't come as a surprise to that team."

He added that the Pats are "prioritizing a different style of play from their safeties than what former coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo valued at that position," which is likely why the team decided to cut Peppers and why Kyle Dugger has gone from starter to backup (and may have been cut himself if it wouldn't have incurred $23.5 million in dead cap).

Instead, the team is rolling with Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson at the safety position. Both are more adept at handling deep coverage, while Reiss noted that Peppers and Dugger are "at their best playing downhill."

The 29-year-old Peppers spent three seasons in New England. His best campaign with the team came in 2023 when he registered 78 tackles, two interceptions, eight passes defensed, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a sack in 15 games.