New England Patriots' head coach Mike Vrabel and safety Jabrill Peppers share a fun, jabbing moment at Thursday's practice when Vrabel showed up in Peppers' jersey.
Patriots' Jabrill Peppers Shares Funny Practice Jab With Mike Vrabel originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
New England Patriots' safety Jabrill Peppers is entering his fourth year with the team in 2025, but his first with new head coach Mike Vrabel. Peppers figures to be a key piece of the Patriots' secondary on a revamped defense.
After back-to-back 4-13 seasons, the Patriots hired Vrabel this offseason to right the ship in New England. The former Patriots' linebacker brings a no-nonsense attitude and is leading a culture change in New England.
Peppers has always been an energetic player who's not afraid to be a little loud or smack-talk his opponents. During spring practices, Vrabel praised the defensive backs' energy on the field and the pride he takes in playing the game.
It feels like the Patriots' safety and new head coach have started off on the right foot and developed a good relationship so far. That continued during Thursday's training camp practice when the two shared a fun, yet jabbing exchange.
Vrabel, who loves to get in on the action with his players at practice, showed up wearing a No. 5 jersey, which is Peppers' number. The Patriots' safety responded by telling his head coach to take it off because he wasn't tough enough to wear that number, but that didn't go as planned for Peppers.
"I keep telling him to take that 5 off. He's not tough enough," Peppers said. "But, he told me to go check in on the Patriots Hall of Fame. Nothing I can say to come back from that."
Jabrill Peppers on Mike Vrabel wearing a #5 jersey on today during practice.
— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) July 24, 2025
"I keep telling him to take that 5 off. He's not tough enough."
"He told me to go check in on the Patriots Hall of Fame. Nothing I can say to come back from that."#Patriots#NewEnglandPatriotspic.twitter.com/U9QWsZnD38
Vrabel played eight seasons with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowls. The hard-nosed linebacker made the All-Pro team and went to the Pro Bowl in 2007. He accumulated over 600 tackles, nearly 50 sacks, 55 TFLs, and 33 quarterback hits during his career in New England. Vrabel also had 11 interceptions, 34 passes defended, 13 forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries.
It's safe to say the Patriots' three-time Super Bowl champion backed his words up with his play back in the day. Vrabel was inducted into the Patriots' Hall of Fame in 2023.
The Patriots' first training camp under Vrabel is now underway, and the new head coach is already having some fun with his players.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
