The New England Patriots surprised many people when they decided to release Jabrill Peppers last week, and the veteran safety says there is one theory about why the move was made that he is not buying into.
Peppers, who was a full-time starter with the Patriots the last two seasons, was cut by the team only a year after signing a 3-year, $24 million contract extension. Mike Vrabel was not the head coach in New England at the time Peppers signed that deal, so there has been speculation that the 29-year-old was viewed as a poor fit for the scheme Vrabel and his defensive coordinator Terrell Williams want to run.
Peppers does not think that is possible. In a social media post on Monday, the defensive back said he has proven he can succeed in any scheme.
“Going on 9 years in this league. I’ve had 7 HCs & 6 DCs lol there is no scheme you can place me in where I won’t find a way to be effective,” Peppers wrote on X.
Going on 9 years in this league. I’ve had 7 HCs & 6 DCs lol There is no scheme you can place me in where I won’t find a way to be effective.
— JP5 (@JabrillPeppers) September 1, 2025
Vrabel also denied that Peppers was released because he is not a scheme fit. The coach told reporters on Monday that there were “a lot of reasons” the Patriots decided to move on.
“No, I think that was certainly not the issue,” Vrabel said. “There’s a lot of reasons. I wouldn’t say that that’s … we’re gonna try to do what’s best for the team. We’ve got a lot of different schemes that we can run in all three phases — special teams, offense and defense. There’s a lot that goes into it and we’re just trying to build toward Sunday here, and that’s our focus. That’s a decision that we had to make and, again, I wish the best for Jabrill.”
#Patriots HC Mike Vrabel on S Jabrill Peppers’ release:
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) September 1, 2025
“[Scheme] was certainly not the issue. There’s a lot of reasons… We’re gonna try to do what’s best for the team… That’s a decision we had to make and again, I wish the best for Jabrill.” pic.twitter.com/pb2tQqNJc9
Peppers had some off-field issues last season, but those were resolved from a legal standpoint. He was arrested in October 2024 and charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and possession of cocaine. The arrest came following an alleged incident in which a woman claimed Peppers “hit her, choked her, took off her clothing and put her outside” after an argument became physical. You can read more about the allegations here.
Peppers was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list following the arrest and missed seven games. He was reinstated late in the season, and he pleaded guilty to the drug charge in January. A jury found the 29-year-old not guilty of all of the other charges.
Prior to signing with the Patriots in 2022, Peppers played for the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns. The Browns drafted him out of Michigan in the first round (No. 25 overall) in 2017.
Peppers has 511 total tackles, 7 interceptions and 5.5 sacks in his career.
