FOXBORO — Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers enjoyed a career year playing alongside Kyle Dugger.

Together, they formed arguably the most physical safety duo in the league and backboned one of the NFL’s best defenses. So naturally, as Dugger’s free agency threatened to pull them apart this offseason, Peppers hoped his teammate would return.

Then finally, over the weekend, Dugger re-signed on a 4-year, $58 million deal, giving both halves of the Patriots’ starting safety tandem exactly what they wanted.

“Much deserved. I said all last year, I think he’s one of the better safeties — if not the best safety — in the league,” Peppers told reporters Tuesday. “Anything you ask him to do, you know he does at a high level. So I definitely think it’s much appreciated. I’m happy he’s back, and hopefully we can put together another good year together.”

Despite being drafted three years apart, both players are both entering their age-28 seasons. Peppers posted 78 tackles, a career-high two interceptions, a forced fumble and one sack last year. While Dugger’s turnover production took a hit compared to his 2022 stats, the newly re-signed veteran posted a career best 109 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

It’s possible the Patriots will look to add another safety in the draft later this month. Peppers is now entering a contract year, and the next safety behind him and Dugger on the depth chart is either 2023 third-round pick Marte Mapu, a hybrid safety/linebacker, or newly signed backup Jaylinn Hawkins.