The Patriots and veteran safety Jabrill Peppers agreed to terms on a 2-year deal Tuesday, according to reports.

Peppers played an increasingly important role on defense last season, recording 60 tackles and a fumble recovery in 17 games. He rotated with veterans Devin McCourty, Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips, often playing close to the box. With McCourty retired, Peppers brings crucial depth at a position of strength.

His return also extends a growing pattern for the Patriots: prioritizing their internal free agents over outside additions. Peppers is the seventh player to re-sign with the team this offseason, and restricted free agent defensive back Myles Bryant should become the eighth after receiving a 1-year tender earlier Tuesday.

Peppers originally joined the Patriots last offseason on a 1-year deal after spending three seasons with the Giants and two in Cleveland. Coming off an ACL tear, he played his best football down the stretch and made five starts in 2022. The 27-year-old is one of the Pats’ most physical players and a core special teamer, who made eight stops in the kicking game last year.

He rejoins Dugger, Phillips, Josh Bledsoe, Brenden Schooler and Brad Hawkins on the team’s safety depth chart. Bryant and newly re-signed cornerback Jonathan Jones also have experience playing safety and could patrol the back end of Bill Belichick’s defense once again in 2023.