The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense adds a former first-round pick to its ranks. Coach Mike Tomlin announced in his Tuesday press conference that the team plans to sign safety Jabrill Peppers. Peppers’ addition comes after DeShon Elliott’s knee injury against the Jets, who will be out for the Week 2 home opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
Peppers, selected with the 25th pick of the 2017 draft, spent the last three seasons in New England before being surprisingly released last month. Upon joining the Steelers, Peppers will face his former team in Week 3, when the Steelers travel to Gillette Stadium to face the Patriots. Peppers played only six games in 2024 after being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list while facing charges of assault and injury. He was subsequently found not guilty in a jury trial in January. In addition, Peppers was affected by foot and hamstring injuries during the 2024 season, but still finished the year with an interception, two passes defended, a forced fumble, and two tackles for loss. In an eight-year career that also includes three seasons with the Giants and two with the Browns, Peppers recorded 7 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries, and 511 tackles. He started in 26 games during his three years in New England. He initially joined the Patriots as a free agent on a two-year contract, but signed a three-year, $24 million extension with the organization last season before a coaching staff personnel change this offseason. Tomlin is not only familiar with Peppers from his time in Cleveland, but he also evaluated him as a prospect when he entered the Michigan draft.He’s a football player first and foremost, and a positional player second. He has demonstrated positional flexibility throughout his career, both at the safety position and in the nickel in running situations. He has been a capable player on special teams throughout his career covering kicks, returning punts. He is a complete football player. I’m glad to add him and have him on the team.
Mike Tomlin
When asked if he would have selected Peppers that year, Tomlin smiled.I think maybe his plays at Michigan stand out more than his professional plays. He was used in a very unique way at Michigan that really highlighted his talents. I think he was even a two-way player at one point. He played linebacker in some of their bear-structured formations; he returned kicks. He was a complete football player in all areas of the game.
Mike Tomlin
The Steelers, by the way, selected T.J. Watt five spots after the Browns selected Peppers. Reminded that Peppers was chosen at pick 25, the coach laughed.I don’t want to pick in such high positions. That requires you to lose a lot of games.
Mike Tomlin
The incorporation of Peppers not only reinforces a safety unit that will be affected by Elliott’s absence in Week 2, although his knee injury is considered “short-term”, according to a league source, but also adds another physical presence to a ground defense that allowed 182 rushing yards to the Jets. Tomlin was blunt about what he wants to see from his running defense in their next matchup against Seattle.I just assumed it was before that.
Mike Tomlin
I want us to be stronger.
Mike Tomlin
