Bill Belichick says Jabrill Peppers is 'way ahead of where he was last year'

New England Patriots head coach raved after safety Jabrill Peppers compared to where the former Michigan star was last season.

Peppers signed a new deal with New England back in March. It was a two-year deal with confidence he could return to form after some up and down seasons, including injuries.

But at this point, Belichick is quite please with where Peppers is at this stage of the offseason.

“Yeah. Oh my god, yeah,” Belichick said. “He’s a much different player now than he was last year at this time or even in training camp. A full year after the injury, a lot of confidence in the communication, the system, his assignments. He’s playing fast, aggressive, helping out his teammates. 

“Last year he was trying to learn things, now he’s helping out his teammates, anticipation, making calls or adjustments that maybe help him or possibly help his teammate be in a better position to defend a certain play or type of play. Yeah, he’s been great. He’s way ahead of where he was last year.”

If Peppers is well ahead of the curve, that’s only good news for Belichick and the Patriots.

Peppers finished the 2022 season with 60 total tackles, 35 solo tackles, two tackles for loss and fumble recovery. Over the course of his career, Peppers had 393 total tackles, 259 solo tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, 25 pass deflections, four forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown.

Peppers was drafted with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns out of Michigan. He played two seasons but was a part of the Odell Beckham Jr. trade and was sent to the New York Giants. 

After three seasons, he signed with the Patriots.

After just three games in 2014 with Michigan, Peppers played two full seasons with the Wolverines over the next two years.

Over the course of his college career, Peppers has 119 total tackles, 86 solo tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception and 11 pass deflections.

As a member of the Class of 2014, Peppers was a five-star recruit out of Paramus (N.J.) Catholic, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 safety in the class and the No. 4 overall prospect in the class.