After DeShon Elliott’s knee injury, the Steelers needed someone reliable to replace him. That’s when Jabrill Peppers comes in. After his impressive run with the Patriots, he is excited to play for his Steelers. He will even have the chance to compete for the starter job. However, one thing that didn’t go his way was his jersey number.

Just a few days ago, it was announced that he will wear no 40. However, this wasn’t his first choice. He wanted to wear No. 11, but WR Brandon Johnson, who is on the Injured Reserve, already had the number. Peppers asked for No.0, but since that number isn’t permitted in the NFL, he settled on No. 40 instead.

“I kinda knew it was gonna be whatever was left after that. Players make the numbers,” Peppers said as Brendan Howe wrote on X. It seems he would have to wait to get the number that he wanted. Now, that shouldn’t be the case when it comes to the starting job.

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Before the Steelers, he was the starter for the Patriots in his last two seasons. It was more of a surprise after he got cut in the final roster cut by coach Mike Vrabel. The football world is harsh. He had to accept this reality. However, he knows that what he can’t compromise on is his performance this season and his chance to secure the starting job. To that end, he must play at his best while avoiding injuries.

He will also be wearing his Guardian cap. Peppers will be the second Steelers player to wear a Guardian Cap in the games. James Daniels, the former Steelers guard, was another player who wore a Guardian cap.. While he is the first NFL player to put on the gear in the field, James Daniels was the first Steelers player to do so. And even if the extra padding can give an odd appearance sometimes, Peppers isn’t worried about that. His only focus is football.

“It didn’t hinder me. I didn’t even notice that it was on my head when I’m running around. And, when I’m hitting, I rarely feel anything. Like, after some games, when you’re banging a lot, you get a little bit of some headaches at the end of the game. Ever since I started wearing that, it’s been none of that. So, for me, it’s a no-brainer,” he told the reporters. While he admitted that it can get hot sometimes, but he is comfortable playing with the gear on.

And he even urges his teammates to put on the gear. However, he admitted that it also depends on the comfort level, which can be different for players. While he is optimistic about his new role, Peppers also reflected on his sudden departure from the Patriots.

Jabrill Peppers opened up about getting cut by the Steelers

Originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns, he was a starter for two seasons before moving on to the Giants, where he spent three years in the starting lineup until a torn ACL sidelined him in 2021. After joining the Patriots in 2022, he rose from a backup to a starter, delivering his best season in 2023 with 78 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, and two quarterback hits across 15 starts.

His strong performance even earned him a three-year, $24 million contract. Given that deal, he was expected to remain with the team through 2026, which made the trade all the more surprising. Still, rather than dwelling on the past, Peppers is focused on his future with the Steelers under coach Mike Tomlin. Peppers was selected for his versatility.

“It just is what it is. Sometimes you’re not good enough. You play a long time in this league, and you’re gonna get traded or cut. It is what it is. I’m happy Tomlin made the call. He was a coach I definitely said I wanted to play for before I retired. It just happened a lot sooner than I thought, but I’m happy to be here,” Peppers explained.

Tomlin highlighted Peppers’ versatility, noting he can play both safety positions, nickel coverage, and contribute on special teams. “He’s a football player first, positional player second,” Tomlin said, emphasizing the defensive back’s multi-dimensional skill set and value to the team’s overall scheme.

That said, tensions will undoubtedly run high when he faces his former team in Week 3’s Steelers–Patriots matchup.