The New England Patriots caught many bystanders off guard by releasing Jabrill Peppers on Friday. A report indicates the organization didn’t rashly decide to part with the veteran safety.
A front-office member of another organization told ESPN’s Mike Reiss that the Patriots mentioned Peppers in trade talks. Reiss wrote in his Sunday column that the source wasn’t surprised the Patriots cut the 29-year-old.
Reiss also explained that a scheme change under head coach Mike Vrabel contributed to the decision.
“The Patriots are prioritizing a different style of play from their safeties than what former coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo valued at that position,” Reiss said.