New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft says Jabrill Peppers’ safety is “gone” if the domestic violence allegations against him turn out to be true.
‘[The NFL will] carry out their independent audit. We do our own,” Kraft told The Breakfast Club podcast. “If what’s been reported is true, he’s gone.”
Peppers on the exempt list as he goes through legal proceedings following his arrest on charges that he pushed his girlfriend’s head against the wall and strangled her. The exempt list allows NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to place a player on paid leave while he reviews his case.
Braintree, Massachusetts police said they were called to a home early Saturday for an altercation between two people, and a woman told them Peppers had strangled her. Police said they found a clear plastic bag at the home containing a white powder, which later tested positive for cocaine.
Peppers was arrested without incident. He posted $2,500 bail; his next court date is scheduled for November 22.
New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers appears in Quincy court
Robert Kraft says Jabrill Peppers’ safety is ‘gone’ if the allegations against him turn out to be true
Despite the arrest, Kraft insists Peppers’ fate in Foxborough has yet to be determined.
“The easiest thing would have been to cut it right away, but we’re trying to measure nine times and get it right,” Kraft said. “If the facts are as publicly reported, then he is not one of us.
“There is a possibility that there is another explanation and that the facts are different,” Kraft continued. So I personally wait, knowing how these things can be unfair.”
Peppers, 29, pleaded not guilty Monday in Quincy District Court to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a Class “B” substance believed to be cocaine.
His attorney, Marc Brofsky, said in court that evidence “casts real doubt on the allegations, including videotaped evidence.”
Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said Wednesday that Peppers will not be with the team “in the short term.”
“Any act of domestic violence is unacceptable to us,” Mayo said. “That said, I think Jabrill needs to continue to go through the system, continue to go through due process. We’ll see how that turns out.’
Peppers was a first-round draft pick of Cleveland in 2017 and spent two seasons with the Browns and three with the New York Giants before coming to New England in 2022. This summer, he was signed to a three-year, $24 million contract, with $11.6 million reportedly guaranteed.
Peppers missed Sunday’s game, a 15-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins, with a shoulder injury.