New England Patriots - NESN.com
The 2024 season did not go the way anyone on the New England Patriots was hoping for, but that was especially true for safety Jabrill Peppers.
Heading into 2025, he made it clear he’s ready to put together a bounce-back campaign.
Early in the 2024 campaign, Peppers was arrested on charges of domestic violence and cocaine possession, resulting in him being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list from Weeks 5 to 12. Peppers was removed from the list ahead of Week 13, and eventually, he was acquitted of all charges.
The former first-round pick didn’t last long in his return, though, as he suffered a hamstring injury that resulted in him missing the final three games of the season. He ultimately ended up playing in just six games, tying the lowest mark of his career.
With the new season quickly approaching, Peppers is fully back in the fold in New England, and he’s looking to reemerge as one of the team’s leaders on defense. On Wednesday, he sent a strong message to his haters on social media now that his rough season is in the rearview mirror.
“Coming for everything they tried to take from me!!” Jabrill Peppers said in a post on his Instagram story. “Been one of his favorites, he never played about me! I remember all the jokes and laughs too stay on that side frfr.”
Peppers stood out as one of the Patriots’ top defenders in 2023 when he recorded 78 tackles, two interceptions, eight passes batted, one fumble forced, and one sack. He will be looking to return to those heights when he retakes the field in 2025.
New England’s defense looks a lot different heading into the new season, but their starting safety duo of Peppers and Kyle Dugger remains in place. Guys like Jaylinn Hawkins, Marcus Epps, Marte Mapu, and Dell Pettus figure to factor into the mix as well.
After a busy offseason, the Patriots appear to be a team on the rise. If Jabrill Peppers can find his old form and help lock down the backend of the defense, it could be the difference between New England being a wild card contender or missing out on the postseason for the fourth straight year.
