I must have rewritten this headline ten times, but the only word I could think of to describe the way NFL veteran safety Jabrill Peppers feels about his new head Mike Vrabel is bromance. As a lifelong New England Patriots fan that has had to endure the last few seasons post-Brady, this is the kind of story I like to see.
Mike Reiss details the Peppers/Vrabel story beginning with an anecdote from Peppers year’s past. With aspirations to be a coach one day, Peppers keeps a notebook of coaching points he has gathered over the years that he wants to pass to the next generation. Upon meeting with Vrabel for the first time, he discovered a “shared belief.”
“It’s crazy because his first meeting with us, when he talked about establishing the identity, I only had to add maybe one or two things [to the notebook],” Peppers said. “We see football the same way. We think it should be played the same way.”
“Unrelenting effort and violence, super attention to details, fundamentals and technique, making good decisions on and off the field, and being a pro and treating you like a pro.”
The pair is still trying to find a way to get past the Michigan/Ohio State rivalry, however, Vrabel did confirm that the admiration goes both ways.
“I love Jabrill’s energy. I like his passion for the game. I like his energy when he comes in the building,” Vrabel said. “Those things are all very positive.”
Peppers Speaks On How Much The Fresh Start Means
At 29-years-old, Peppers is entering his fourth year in New England. His time here has come with issues on and off the field. Last season he only played in six games while he was under investigation facing potential assault charges.
Peppers explained how fortunate he felt to get a “fresh start” in the same building.
“It was tough last year both on and off the field. Just to be able to come out here and focus on football and not have that weighing on me — a whole new start, new scheme, a new environment, a new feel around the building — it’s been good for me,” he said.
Vrabel Reinforces Confidence In Peppers
Actions speak louder than words. You’ll rarely find a coach who doesn’t speak confidently of their players at the podium, only to contradict themselves on the field.
This was not the case in the Vrabel/Peppers discourse. Vrabel reinforced his positive speak of the safety at the first possible opportunity, naming him a captain in the team’s training camp scrimmage on August 1st.
Peppers began the 2024 season as a captain, but the title was stripped from him in December of last year by ex-head coach Jerod Mayo.
With David Andrews retiring, perhaps the defender can find himself back in the conversation for the team’s honor.
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