The New England Patriots have really hit the ground running after the preseason in terms of bringing in other players who were waived by their now-former teams. The Patriots' main notable move was claiming New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito off of waivers. But if you thought the Patriots were done with the waiver wire, you thought wrong.
On Friday, the Pariots made a variety of moves, including releasing safety Jabrill Peppers. One of their additions was claiming rookie defensive tackle Eric Gregory off waivers from the Cincinnati Bengals. Gregory was an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas, and made a name for himself in the preseason for the Bengals. But he was waived to make room for free agent guard Dalton Risner.
Let's just say that some Bengals fans weren't thrilled about losing Gregory to another team in the AFC.
The Patriots:
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) August 29, 2025
- claimed rookie DT Eric Gregory off waivers from the Bengals
- released S Jabrill Peppers from the 53-man roster
- released OT Jack Conley from the practice squad
- signed T Thayer Munford Jr. T to the practice squad
Patriots fans have to be thrilled with Eric Gregory addition based on Bengals fans' meltdown
Let's look at some of the reactions from Bengals fans after finding out that Gregory was heading to the AFC East and to the Patriots.
Damn it. Gregory had a fantastic camp.
— Wes Snyder (@Wess_is_more) August 29, 2025
Just for that. We're signing Peppers and he's going to inflict pain on those pats on 11/23 https://t.co/PD5pRtUkxO
Gregory is a good get for them https://t.co/IhZdGIx1a9
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) August 29, 2025
Good for Eric Gregory to land on a 53-man roster on the Patriots, but that’s bittersweet for the Bengals after releasing him to get Dalton Risner. https://t.co/OTzCC5g9uO
— Cameron Demler (@CJD22K) August 29, 2025
I'd enjoy being a fly on the wall of the Bengals FO right now https://t.co/u0OLje573s
— Andy (@flamcheesy) August 29, 2025
Damnnnnnn man they snatched him. https://t.co/P1DeKQu2EA
— Costa (@CincyPlzWin) August 29, 2025
It was a sacrifice the Bengals needed to make to give quarterback Joe Burrow more protection on the interior of the offensive line. But in the process, they lost a rising star on the defense. A defense that left a lot to be desired in the preseason.
For Gregory, he was lauded for his ability to get into the offense's backfield to stop the opposing running back and put pressure on the opposing quarterback. In three games, Gregory recorded four pressures, four quarterback hurries, two tackles, and one defensive stop, per Pro Football Focus. Gregory performed well enough to make it onto the Bengals' 53-man roster.
But as the Bengals waived Gregory, the Patriots and head coach Mike Vrabel capitalized to bring in the young interior defensive lineman. Vrabel knows how to build a defense, and believed that bringing in Gregory can help him construct one that can be good for quite some time.
Patriots fans have to be pumped about this addition, considering the collective meltdown that Bengals fans had after finding out Gregory was heading to New England.