Jabrill Peppers said he is pleased with the way his NFL career has evolved after a slow start with the Browns.
But once his former team came to town on Sunday, the Giants’ safety can’t escape a ride on the memory lane to the successful trade in 2019, which brought him to New York in exchange for Odell Beckham Jr.
“In fact, I was excited about the trade, thinking, ‘I just got Odell! Peppers recalled that he said in a Zoom call on Friday that he had found out about his job on Twitter for the first time. “And I keep looking and then I say, ‘Oh, no. I’m not even here!
“And then [former Browns general manager John] Dorsey called me about 15 minutes later and I had already seen the news. I actually talked [Giants GM Dave] Gettleman before I talk to Dorsey. It is what it is, this is the nature of this league. I can’t take it personally. But I am happy, I am satisfied with the result, I am doing well ”.
Cleveland also delivered goalie Kevin Zeitler and the first- and third-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft to the Giants, which included defensive end Olivier Vernon in the deal, alongside Beckham.
Peppers, who Browns drafted 25th in 2017, was considered to be the most interesting part of the package, considering he was the finalist for the Heisman Trophy in Michigan.
The 25-year-old is now making his second season appearance with the Giants. Born in New Jersey, Peppers said how much more comfortable he feels being closer to home – and shows up on the field.
“Absolutely,” Peppers said when asked if he now feels like another player. “I am playing with my strength here. I thank the giants for believing in me and seeing my potential, so I just do my best to make them look good. “
In April, the Giants took over the option for the fifth year of Peppers’ rookie contract with Browns. He is guaranteed $ 6.8 million in 2021 before becoming a free agent.
During his two seasons in Cleveland, Peppers combined for 97 solo attacks, six loss approaches and four defender shots. Since then, he has developed into one of the driving forces for the Giants’ success on the defensive side of the ball.
With at least three games to go in 2020, Peppers already has 49 solo attacks, eight loss approaches and three QB shots, despite missing Week 4 with an ankle injury.
Peppers said he expects a tough challenge from the Browns at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, but does not intend to treat the game any differently than anyone else. The giants probably hope he won’t do anything different either.
“It’s a great game, it’s not a great game because it’s my old team, it’s a great game because of what’s at stake,” Peppers said. “It’s the next game. I will not do anything abnormal or something I did not do during the season. I’m just going in, I’m getting ready the way I’ve been all year and I’m trying to do my job to the best of my ability. “