Patriots release Jabrill Peppers in NFL surprise ahead of Week 1

One ex-Giant arrived and another is exiting Foxborough.

The Patriots surprisingly released veteran safety Jabrill Peppers despite having $4.32 million guaranteed remaining on his contract, according to ESPN.

The move also comes after Tuesday’s 53-man roster cuts, nice days in advance of the Patriots’ season-opener against the Raiders, and a day after former Big Blue cult hero Tommy DeVito was introduced after being claimed off waivers by New England.

3 Jabrill Peppers during a 2023 game against the Giants. AP

Peppers, 29, was readying for his fourth season with the Patriots after signing with them ahead of the 2022 season following his Giants exit.

While he emerged as a “favorite” of ex-Patriots coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo, his role in new coach Mike Vrabel’s system was “evolving” during training camp, per ESPN.

Peppers reportedly started with the first-teamers before being passed on the depth chart by Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie fourth-rounder Craig Woodson, even starting the team’s final preseason game.

He had the fourth-best grade among safeties last season, per Pro Football Focus.

3 Jabrill Peppers was preparing for his fourth season in New England. AP

Peppers originally signed a one-year deal with the Patriots before re-upping on a two-year pact and then signing a three-year extension last July.

He appeared in 38 games with the Patriots and tallied three interceptions.

Peppers’ tenure in New England included him being arrested last October on allegations of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, but he was acquitted.

He missed seven games after being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list following the arrest, and he appeared in just six contests.

3 Jabrill Peppers seemingly fell out of favor with the new coaching staff. Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Peppers joined the Patriots followed three years with the Giants from 2019-21 in which he appeared in 32 games and tallied one interception.

He started his career with the Browns after being selected with the No. 25 pick in the 2017 Draft.

Peppers figures to have suitors either through waivers or in free agency, should teams pass on claiming him since they would pick up his contract.

For his career, Peppers has seven interceptions in 99 games.

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