Defensive end Julius Peppers is returning to Carolina for another season. The Carolina Panthers have signed Peppers to a one-year deal worth $5 million. Adam Schefter reported the news on Twitter.
Julius Peppers back to Carolina. https://t.co/j1U16uhOQF
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2017
Peppers, 38, will be entering his 17th year in the league. He is fourth all-time in career sacks 154.5 career sacks and is just 5.5 behind third-place Hall of Famer Kevin Green.
Peppers was drafted by the Panthers in 2002. Since then, he had been their no.1 defensive player until his departure to the Chicago Bears in 2010. Peppers joined the Green Bay Packers 2014 after being released by the Bears and later rejoined the Panthers in 2017.
Peppers played well for the Panthers in his return season, recording 11 total sacks. Though Peppers is advancing in age, he is not showing very many signs of slowing down. He still has the ability to contribute to the Panthers defense. Peppers is an experienced player who will provide great veteran leadership. He also has only missed two career games due to injury, so the Panthers can rely on Peppers to remain healthy during the season.
Peppers has had an amazing career. He was Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2002, has been to 9 Pro Bowls, 2004’s Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team. No doubt when all is said and done, Peppers will go down as a Hall of Famer. It is hard to imagine that the fourth, and possibly could be the third, all-time leader in sacks will not get a gold jacket.
