Due to an injury, Jabril Peppers is set to join a new team.
The Steelers are likely to sign this veteran free agent after safety Deshon Elliott faced an injury setback, as reported by the NFL Network.
Elliott is projected to be sidelined for a few weeks after sustaining an MCL sprain during a close 34-32 win against the Jets. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz shared the update.
This turn of events is fortunate for the Steelers, allowing them to acquire a player of Peppers’ caliber right after the first week.
Peppers has been a solid safety throughout his career, but he didn’t align with the plans of new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, leading to his release just before the season began.
Over the last three seasons in Foxborough, he played in 38 games, starting 26 of them.
Pro Football Focus highlighted his performance, noting he had the fourth highest grade among safeties last year.
However, that achievement came during just six games, as he missed part of the season following an arrest for alleged assaults with dangerous weapons.
Eventually, he was found not guilty.
Given Elliott’s injury, the Steelers could certainly benefit from additional help in their secondary, especially after struggling to contain a passing game led by Justin Fields in their opening game.
Concerns about Peppers have often focused on his ability to lead a strong passing attack, but he managed to replicate the Steelers’ defense, allowing 218 yards on a 16-of-22 completion rate with one touchdown.
The Jets also easily exploited Pittsburgh’s run defense, rushing for a total of 382 yards after 39 attempts.
Aaron Rodgers’ performance played a significant role in masking the Steelers’ defensive shortcomings.
Pittsburgh had started with Elliott in the lineup as three cornerbacks: Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr., and Jalen Ramsey.
The Steelers will mark Peppers’ fourth team, following two years with the Browns, a season with the Jets, and his time with New England.
In Week 2, the Steelers will face off against Seattle, featuring their new receiver DK Metcalf after some offseason trades.
