NFL Rumors: Patriots Sign Former First-Rounder

On Tuesday afternoon, news broke from Foxborough that the New England Patriots have reached an agreement with free agent safety Jabrill Peppers on a 1-year deal that is potentially worth up to $5 million.

Patriots signing safety Jabrill Peppers to one-year deal. (via @MikeGiardi) pic.twitter.com/oNHs1bUquo
— NFL (@NFL) March 29, 2022

Peppers, 26, originally entered the league as a first-round draft pick when he was selected by the Cleveland Browns in 2017 but he was eventually sent to the Giants' as a part of the trade package that centered around Odell Beckham Jr. during the 2019 offseason. However, after 3 season in New York, Peppers will now join the Patriots as an unrestricted free agent on a 1-year deal in a secondary featuring Devin McCourty, Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips.

Last season, Peppers found himself on the injured reserved after he suffered a torn ACL and high ankle sprain in Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers but he is apparently expected to be ready an available for the start of training camp.

The move should come as no surprise, Peppers will be reconnecting with his former head coach in Joe Judge who also has found his way to New England this offseason as an offensive assistant; Judge was always a huge advocate of the defensive back during their time together in New York.

Gotta like this hustle/play speed from Jabrill Peppers. Commanders anticipate the blitz and throw a screen at the blitz. Nice job by Bradberry and McKinney holding up the play, while Peppers retraces his steps and cleans it up. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/XdSUnnmQkV
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 29, 2022

At this point in his career through 61 games, Peppers has recorded 59 starts while logging 333 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 4 interceptions along the way. Peppers has also proven himself as an asset on special teams having returned 83 punts for 693 yards and 34 kickoffs for 749 yards. Overall, if Peppers can successfully return to form following last season's injury he will provide the Patriots with another stereotypical, multitalented Belichick style defender.