The New England Patriots cannot operate the same way they did when Bill Belichick was patrolling the sidelines as the team's head coach. The sooner they realize that, the better off they will be. Unfortunately, recent moves signal the franchise isn't there quite yet. Friday's news concerning the release of veteran safety Jabrill Peppers only amplifies that fact.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Patriots have released Peppers even though he still has over $4.3 million owed to him for the 2025 season alone. With this move not being a result of a clear production issue, Peppers has contributed in several ways during his career, as Schefter points out below.
The question of whether this was money-motivated, as many moves were during the Belichick era, must be asked.
Patriots are releasing veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, per source. Peppers still has $4.32 million guaranteed remaining on his contract for this season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2025
Peppers has started 85 games, including 26 with New England, and has totaled over 500 tackles, seven interceptions, six forced… pic.twitter.com/0D8xc5vzH7
Pats Can't Continue to Make Belichick-like Decisions Moving Forward
High-profile members of the current front office, namely EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf and Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh, still have ties to Belichick and remain in power in New England.
For better or worse, Belichick prioritized roster flexibility and positional fit over paying veterans big money to fill a particular role on the Patriots. When New England had a generational quarterback to lean on in Tom Brady, this approach worked out just fine. The Patriots' six Super Bowl championships under his watch prove that fact.
The reality of that approach to roster building is that it was not anywhere near as effective once New England did not have a Hall of Fame QB under center. Following Brady's departure, Belichick remained set in his ways, and the Patriots were 10 games under .500 during that stretch (29-39) with one playoff appearance.
Now, we see New England's front office heading down that path again by releasing a productive member of the secondary. While Pro Football Focus grades are not the end-all be-all when it comes to determining the value of a particular player, it is noteworthy that Peppers rated out to have the fourth-best grade among all safeties over the last two seasons. It's going to be hard for any player to fill his shoes.
Simply put, regardless of the scheme being run, New England can't get better by letting go of players who are considered to be among the top five at their position in the entire league. That is what the Patriots have done with this move, and they deserve whatever questions come as a result.