Jabrill Peppers (5) was expected to be part of New England’s top safety rotation alongside Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson.
Jabrill Peppers (5) was expected to be part of New England’s top safety rotation alongside Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
The Patriots are releasing safety Jabrill Peppers, according to a league source.
Friday’s move comes as a surprise because training camp indicated Kyle Dugger would be the odd man out if another veteran safety were to be released. Dugger, who was on the bubble and trade block ahead of Tuesday’s roster cutdown deadline, suddenly could be back in the mix after spending the last three weeks practicing primarily with the backups and scout team.
The 29-year-old Peppers was expected to be part of New England’s top safety rotation alongside Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson. Peppers did suit up for a handful of series in the preseason finale, a game in which the majority of the presumed starters sat, because coach Mike Vrabel wanted to see Peppers play alongside Woodson.
Vrabel previously spoke highly of Peppers, complimenting his “energy” and “passion for the game.” Peppers was a captain for the intrasquad scrimmage and preseason finale.
Now, the Patriots are slated to lean on Hawkins and Woodson as their starting safeties. Dugger and 24-year-old Dell Pettus round out the group, along with core special teammer Brenden Schooler. It would not be surprising if the Patriots made another move to bolster the position. There are no safeties on New England’s practice squad.
Cutting Peppers creates $4 million in dead money and $2.45 million in salary-cap space.
In July 2024, Peppers signed a three-year, $24 million extension — one of several deals struck by executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf that have not aged well. Other contracts signed around that time include wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (three-year, $33 million extension) and running back Rhamondre Stevenson (four-year, $36 million extension).
The release of Peppers also signifies the departure of yet another established player associated with the previous regime. Peppers joins center David Andrews, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, and long snapper Joe Cardona as former captains to have been let go.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.