Patriots cut Jabrill Peppers; Mike Vrabel offers cryptic explanation

The New England Patriots unexpectedly released veteran safety Jabrill Peppers on Monday, and coach Mike Vrabel offered a terse, cryptic explanation when asked whether the move reflected a schematic mismatch.

"There's a lot of reasons. I wouldn't say that’s — we're gonna try to do what's best for the team, and we got a lot of different schemes that we can run in all three phases…There's a lot that goes into it," Vrabel told reporters. He added the team is "trying to build towards Sunday" and said, "We wish the best for Jabrill."

The release drew attention because Peppers, a veteran of nearly a decade in the NFL, had served as a defensive team captain for the Patriots last season. Vrabel's remarks that the decision was not purely about scheme fit stood in contrast to a post Peppers made early Monday on X, formerly Twitter, in which the player appeared to suggest otherwise.

"Going on 9 years in this league," Peppers wrote. "I've had 7 HCs & 6 DC" — a comment that observers interpreted as a reflection on coaching changes and schematic differences he has experienced across his career. Peppers did not elaborate further in the post.

Peppers, who spent parts of his career with other franchises before joining New England, had been a regular presence in the Patriots' defensive back group and on special teams. The club did not provide further detail about the personnel decision beyond Vrabel's statement.

Vrabel emphasized that personnel moves ahead of the regular season can involve many variables. "We got a lot of different schemes that we can run in all three phases," he said, and framed the release as a decision made with the team's short-term preparation and long-term roster construction in mind.

The timing of the move, coming just before the Patriots' next game, intensified scrutiny. Team representatives did not provide financial details of the transaction at the time of the announcement. Peppers, who has been in the league since 2016, has been noted for versatility in the secondary and on special teams; his role as a team captain last season reflected a leadership position within the locker room.

The Patriots declined to expand on whether off-field factors, health considerations or contract terms contributed to the decision. Vrabel reiterated the team's focus on preparation for the upcoming game when pressed by reporters and said the organization "wished the best" for Peppers.

As of Monday, Peppers had not announced his next steps beyond the X post. The release makes him available to sign with another team or to be claimed off waivers under NFL rules.

The personnel move and the contrasting public comments by coach and player add to ongoing attention on New England's roster choices as the team finalizes its lineup for the regular season. Officials did not indicate whether any additional roster moves were imminent.