Jabrill Peppers, Steelers Reportedly Agree to Contract After Patriots Release

The Pittsburgh Steelers struggled to stop Justin Fields and the New York Jets in Sunday's season opener, but they are reportedly adding a defensive reinforcement ahead of their Week 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday that Pittsburgh and safety Jabrill Peppers agreed to terms on a new contract. 

Peppers was available because the New England Patriots released him following roster cut-down day.

Safety depth is also an area of concern for the Steelers since DeShon Elliott suffered an MCL sprain that is expected to sideline him for "a couple of weeks," per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

New England's decision to cut Peppers so close to the start of the season seemed to be a surprise on the outside, but ESPN's Mike Reiss reported a source from a different team said the AFC East club was shopping him in trade discussions prior to the decision.

Following his release, Peppers made his case for other teams around the league:

Pittsburgh clearly agreed that he can remain effective, which he was when he was on the field last season. Pro Football Focus gave Peppers an overall player grade of 82.3 in 2024, which was seventh among 171 safeties last season.

However, staying on the field was the issue.

The Michigan product played just six games last season, partially because he was placed on the NFL's Commissioner's exempt list following his arrest on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

He also dealt with foot and hamstring injuries after he was removed from the list in November.

A jury ultimately acquitted Peppers of charges in January.

The 29-year-old will now get another chance on the field after the Steelers decided to add him. Pittsburgh will be his fourth team after he spent his first two years with the Cleveland Browns, three seasons with the New York Giants and three seasons with the Patriots.

Peppers' best individual season came in 2020 on the Giants when he finished with 91 tackles, 11 passes defended, 2.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Asking him to replicate those numbers may be unrealistic for the Steelers, but he will provide another veteran option at the back end of their defense. He could also see immediate playing time given Elliott's injury.