Revenge game awaits Jabrill Peppers as he looks for ways to help Steelers beat Patriots

New safety Jabrill Peppers flashed a sly smile when asked if he might provide some intel on the New England Patriots, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ opponent this weekend.

“I’ve been trying to learn the playbook here, man,” Peppers said, laughing.

Translation: Peppers has enough on his plate after being signed by the Steelers in the aftermath of their season opener. But, judging from his responses to other queries about the Patriots, his employer for the previous three seasons, Peppers is open to the suggestion of helping the Steelers any way he can.

A captain for the Patriots only a year earlier, Peppers became unemployed when New England released him late in training camp. His time off lasted less than two weeks until the Steelers signed him after a knee injury to starting strong safety DeShon Elliott.

Peppers played seven snaps on special teams and none on defense last Sunday in the Steelers’ 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. His role could expand against New England, particularly if Elliott misses a second consecutive game.

On the other hand, his services could be needed even if Elliott is healthy. The Steelers have bled in stopping the run through two weeks, and Peppers prides himself in contributing in that area. He also could be used to help correct some of the communication issues that have arisen in the secondary.

That he would get the chance to make an impact against his former team is a bonus.

“I’m the type of guy that it does come with a little more (incentive) for me,” Peppers said. “This is a different type of situation. It’s the first time I’ve had a situation like this, getting cut and then playing your team two weeks later.”

In his previous stops, the much-traveled Peppers has had to wait longer for his revenge game against a former team. In the offseason leading up to the 2019 season, the former Cleveland Browns draft pick was traded to the New York Giants. In April 2024, he signed with the Patriots in free agency.

“I’m used to it,” Peppers said, “but you can’t let the emotions get the best of you. Treat it like you would every game and stick to your routine. Me being honest, it’s going to be a little extra.”

Peppers’ release was attributed partly to the assault and battery charges he faced last season. Peppers spent seven weeks on the commissioner’s exempt list but was acquitted by a jury Jan 24. The Patriots also have a new coaching staff in place, headed by former Tennessee Titans boss Mike Vrabel, and that also could have contributed to Peppers being let go.

Either way, he’s anticipating the matchup that awaits at Gillette Stadium.

“When I play in places I’ve been, I definitely want to play my best,” he said. “I have a little more energy, excitement.”

Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has only coached Peppers for a handful of practices, but he has seen the 29-year-old safety taking strides to understand the Steelers’ defensive scheme.

“You can see that he’s a real pro and understands ball,” Austin said. “The thing I like about him is — watching him last week and this week — is the fact he really tries to communicate and talk things through. For young guys, sometimes they don’t want to talk for fear of making a mistake, but he’s talking. That way he’ll know if he knows it or not. I like the way he goes about his business that way.

“I’m sure we’re going to find a role for him and get him out there.”

If Peppers is as advertised, he could help a defense that leads the NFL with 28 missed tackles through two weeks. The Steelers also had a miscommunication between free safety Juan Thornhill and corner Darius Slay that left corner Jalen Ramsey exposed on Seattle’s first touchdown, a 21-yard completion to an open Tory Horton.

“My biggest asset as a player is my football IQ,” Peppers said. “When you’ve been a lot of places, played a lot of ball, you just have to turn their verbiage into things you can go back to and have register with you. There are only but so many defenses you can play. It’s not like offenses. There are different words for them, different techniques, different drops.

“It’s about being a pro, getting into the book, watching tape and applying what you’ve learned in the meetings and take it to the field.”