Chiefs Urged to Pursue $24 Million Defensive Back After Surprise Cut by AFC Rival

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 19: Jabrill Peppers #5 of the New England Patriots in action during the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 19, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs may need some help in the secondary and are being urged to sign a veteran safety.

Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie is unquestionably among the NFL’s elite. Regardless of where he’s positioned on the field, he presents a matchup you can feel confident about. But after McDuffie, there are a lot of questions.

Before fracturing his ankle in Week 7 last season, cornerback Jaylen Watson played at an All-Pro level. He struggled after returning, making his performance a key factor for the secondary’s success.

The Chiefs added cornerback Kristian Fulton in free agency and parted ways with safety Justin Reid, who signed with the New Orleans Saints.

For the last line of defense, Chamarri Conner seems set to return to his natural position at strong safety, lining up alongside Jaden Hicks. Safety Bryan Cook remains, and general manager Brett Veach also added Mike Edwards to the mix.

Chiefs Urged to Sign Veteran Safety Released by Patriots

Lior Lampert of Arrowhead Addict is urging the Chiefs to add some depth to the safety position, suggesting the team sign veteran Jabrill Peppers, who was surprisingly released by the New England Patriots on Aug. 29.

Peppers, 29, still had $4.32 million in guaranteed money left on the three-year, $24 million contract extension he signed last July, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“The Patriots’ willingness to eat salary to move on from one of their better defenders over the past few campaigns certainly raises eyebrows,” Lampert wrote. “Nonetheless, one man’s trash is another’s treasure; the Chiefs must not let this opportunity pass them by.”

GettyFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 01: Jabrill Peppers #5 of the New England Patriots plays during the third quarter of a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

Peppers Was Out with Injuries and Legal Issues

Peppers, a 2017 first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns out of Michigan, only played in six games last season, dealing with hip, shoulder and hamstring injuries.

But he also spent time on the commissioner’s exempt list after being arrested on initial domestic violence and drug possession charges in Massachusetts. He was later charged with assault and battery with dangerous weapon, and assault and batter and strangulation charges. The unidentified woman also filed a $9.5 million lawsuit against Peppers.

The woman testified during the criminal trial that Peppers grabbed her by the neck, slammed her against the wall and pushed her down the stairs after another man called her cell phone several times while they were in bed. Peppers denied the allegations, testifying to so during his trial. He was acquitted by a jury of his peers in January.

“I usually say, ‘My client was found not guilty,’” Marc Brofsky, Peppers’ attorney, said after the not guilty verdict. “But in this case I will say, ‘He was found innocent,’ given the state of the evidence, given how quickly the jury returned their verdict. They knew it was a joke.”

Peppers was removed from the commissioner’s exempt list in November 2024 following an initial investigation by the NFL.

When Peppers did play for New England last season, his production was good. Pro Football Focus, ranked him 7th among 171 qualifying safeties.

Drake Bentley is an award-winning investigative journalist and breaking news reporter for Heavy, covering the NFL, NBA, legal affairs, and entertainment. He’s covered the NBA Finals, NFL Draft, and major trending stories since 2019. More about Drake Bentley