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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 19: Jabrill Peppers #5 of the New England Patriots reacts as he looks on during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on September 19, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)Getty Images
Following Jabrill Peppers’ surprising release on Friday, one of the popular explanations was that he wasn’t a great fit for the new scheme Terrell Williams and Mike Vrabel have implemented for the Patriots defense.
The hard-hitting Peppers — who has delivered some of his best work playing downhill in the box — had been demoted to the second team behind Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson. Both new starters are more conventional deep safeties.
Peppers doesn’t buy the scheme fit narrative. The 29-year-old took to social media on Monday morning to push back on it accordingly.
“Going on 9 years in this league. I’ve had 7 HCs & 6 DCs lol,“ Peppers posted. ”There is no scheme you can place me in where I won’t find a way to be effective.”
Former Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley — who was cut this spring — also didn’t buy that Peppers couldn’t play in the new system.
“Where great players can’t play in it?” Bentley wrote on X. “Must be a helluva scheme.”
So what’s the reasoning then?
Off-field issues reportedly weren’t a factor in the release. Peppers wound up on the Commissioner’s Exempt list last season after an arrest for allegations of domestic violence and cocaine possession, but was acquitted of the assault charges. Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi reported “there were no off-field issues for Peppers that led to the release.”
After cutting Peppers, the Patriots are left with Woodson, Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler and Kyle Dugger in the safety room. As for Peppers, he’s welcome to sign anywhere he’d like as a free agent.