When the Patriots hired Mike Vrabel, there were no doubts that he had a lot of work to do. The roster he inherited had numerous flaws, and it was inevitable that many players who were around during the 2023 and 2024 seasons wouldn't make the 53-man roster in 2025.
That included veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, who was cut shortly after the final 53-man roster was finalized. The release of wide receiver Kendrick Bourne was understandable, as the Patriots had too many bodies in their wide receiver room and someone ultimately had to go, but one of the pillars of their secondary being cut came as somewhat of a shock.
Ja'Whaun Bentley, who played alongside Peppers for two seasons in New England, was one of those who scratched their head at the safety's release.
Ja’Whaun Bentley reacts to the #Patriots cutting S Jabrill Peppers:
— New England Sports Fellow (@NESportsFellow) August 29, 2025
“Crazy….That’s a Starting Safety in this League” pic.twitter.com/5hCBQyUYf7
Noise has been echoing that Vrabel didn't feel Peppers would've fit his scheme, but the coach quickly dismissed that notion when speaking to reporters earlier this week.
"No, I don’t think — that was certainly not the issue,. There’s a lot of reasons. I wouldn’t say — we’re going to try to do what’s best for the team. We’ve got a lot of different schemes that we can run at all three phases … there’s a lot that goes into it. Again, we’re just trying to build toward Sunday here, and that’s our focus. It’s a decision that we had to make. Again, wish the best for Jabrill.”
Is Mike Vrabel rubbing people the wrong way with cutting Peppers?
Peppers had signed a three-year extension worth $25 million the previous year, so that's another reason his release was somewhat of a shock. Fellow safety Kyle Dugger, who was considered to be on the chopping block, remains on the roster, and New England will rely on him, Jaylnn Hawkins, and fourth-round pick Craig Woodson at the back end of the secondary this year.
Vrabel could be sending a message to the rest of the team that those who don't buy into his system won't be around. That's fine, given the Patriots have gone an aggregate 8-26 over the last two seasons. The last time the Patriots released a veteran safety right before the start of the season - Lawyer Milloy in 2003 - they went on to win the Super Bowl.
Vrabel has to do what's best for the team, and maybe letting Peppers go was a factor in that. However, it raises questions for New England at the back end of the secondary shortly before the start of the regular season.