Super Bowl front-runners and a team reeling from an unexpected loss headline five potential free agency fits for newly released safety Jabrill Peppers
There are no shortage of teams who should be interested in former Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers on the eve of the 2025 season.
The New England Patriots added a surprising talent onto the free agent market with the decision to release veteran safety Jabrill Peppers. Peppers, who is an accomplished veteran who carries a first-round pedigree, was a phenomenal talent for the Patriots as recently as 2023. But New England is in the midst of a regime change and head coach Mike Vrabel is wasting little time putting his imprint on the roster.
And, accordingly, Peppers is now out amid a youth movement in New England’s secondary as the Patriots attempt to become more diverse with their personnel. The decision puts Peppers out on the street on the eve of the season, but he should have no shortage of suitors. Peppers, for his part, is not lacking in confidence.
If schemes and personnel and coaches aren’t an inhibitor to interest, what teams should be most interested in Peppers? It’s important to remember that amid his guarantees from New England this season, cost is unlikely to be a factor. Here are five teams across the NFL who should firmly be giving Peppers their consideration.
Five NFL teams who should be considering signing veteran safety Jabrill Peppers
The Washington Commanders
Washington is the kind of franchise that appears to be embracing pouring gasoline on the fire. They smell blood in the water amid an NFC Championship Game appearance with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Commanders have been aggressive this offseason, adding names like WR Deebo Samuel and OT Laremy Tunsil to their ranks while sustaining a veteran core of defensive talent. Peppers would be more of the same for Washington but would give Dan Quinn another explosive striker for the secondary who could give this team someone to potentially push Washington’s other safeties for a starting job opposite youngster Quan Martin in 2025.
The San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are missing Malik Mustapha to open the season after a major knee injury late in 2024. Mustapha is an explosive striker at safety who was electric playing low and in the box. Peppers can do the same things and could serve for a potential alternative to bridge the gap until Mustapha returns. Between rookie Marques Sigle, Jason Pinnock, and Ji’Ayir Brown, it is hard to imagine that Peppers wouldn’t command some playing time for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
The Buffalo Bills
Where are the Bills at with safety this year? Cole Bishop is a marquee investment but unproven. The team has tried to marginalize Damar Hamlin and keep him in a special teams role, where he’s best suited to contribute. Taylor Rapp is a sufficient level starter but Buffalo recently added Jordan Poyer to the practice squad for some veteran influence on the room. Peppers can do some of the things Buffalo asked Poyer to do in 2023 on the second level before a disastrous 2024 season in Miami for Poyer with the Dolphins.
The Baltimore Ravens
The inconvenient truth for other teams? Baltimore is one of those teams who should be in on everyone because of their roster outlook this year. Is Peppers interested as serving as a third safety behind Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks? Baltimore already did this very thing at cornerback when Jaire Alexander shook loose — they entertained a free agent add at a position that wasn’t necessarily a need to raise the ceiling of the room. Given that third safety Ar’Darius Washington is out indefinitely with an offseason Achilles tear, there’s room for playing time for a team that has historically been their best with three safeties on the field.
The Las Vegas Raiders
Jabrill Peppers and Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao in the same safety room? If you want versatility, you’ve come to the right place. The Raiders simply need floor and ceiling raisers on the defensive side of the football. With the abrupt ending to the Christian Wilkins tenure in Las Vegas, the Raiders are missing some needle-moving upside on that side of the football. Peppers is about as strong an add as you can find on the eve of the season.