PITTSBURGH — Jabrill Peppers enters his ninth season in the NFL having never played in the postseason. The former Michigan Wolverines star officially joined Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, knowing that the longtime head coach keeps his team in the mix.
"You play a long time in this league, you know you're gonna get traded or cut," Peppers said Wednesday of his departure from the New England Patriots , with whom he spent the last three seasons. "I'm happy Tomlin made the call. He was a coach I definitely said I wanted to play for before I retire. It just happened a lot sooner than I thought."
Peppers began his pro career with the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns . He's aware of the Steelers' defensive tradition and, obviously, the continuity at the top. He spoke to Tomlin during his pro day before being selected No. 25 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, five spots ahead of T.J. Watt .
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jabrill Peppers takes part in his first practice with the team. Ed Thompson/Steelers Now
"One of the best to do it," Peppers said of Tomlin. "I already had the chance to play for Bill (Belichick). He was another guy I said I wanted to play for. … (Tomlin) always puts his best foot forward, has his ball clubs in good positions at the end of the year, man. How could you not wanna be part of that? …
"I was just trying to see the best possible opportunity for me. Once the Steelers called, it's hard to say no to that."
Peppers tied for a career-low with six games played for the Patriots a campaign ago. The Steelers brought him in hoping he could help a secondary that will be missing fellow safety DeShon Elliott for at least this week and maybe longer.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Jabrill Peppers Turned Down Other Offers to Play for Steelers: 'Hard to Say No'
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