Patriots’ Jabrill Peppers Taking Different Contract Approach To Teammates
Peppers doesn't want to talk money
FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots dished out contract extensions in waves this offseason, reaching agreements with several key contributors.
Christian Barmore, Rhamondre Stevenson, Jahlani Tavai, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu and Kyle Dugger? Extended.
Matthew Judon, Davon Godchaux and Jabrill Peppers? Nope.
New England, despite all the work it has done to lock in franchise cornerstones, still has business to take care of with three key defensive pieces. Judon and Godchaux have made as much very clear, taking their contract displeasure to social media and raising the awareness of their lame duck status.
Peppers hasn’t been so outspoken.
“I don’t really speak on contract situations. I pay someone to do that for me,” Peppers said Wednesday, following the club’s opening training camp practice. “I definitely want to be here, but at the end of the day I pay someone to do the business for me. My job is to go out there, be who I am, be the best version of myself and try to bring out the best in my guys.”
The Patriots have been extremely lucky to have Peppers over the last few seasons, watching him return to form and in turn drive up his value on the open market. New England clearly would love for the 28-year-old to return, and the feeling is mutual.
“It’s everything. I love the area, it’s not too far from home. It’s a perfect fit for me,” Peppers said. “I love the guys here, but at the end of the day, all I can control is all I can control.”
Dugger’s return opens up the options for the Patriots, but it can’t hurt having their star safety duo continue to play together.
Judon likely won’t stop talking about his contract situation until it gets resolved, as is his right, but Peppers will just let his play do the talking.
