Julius Peppers' agent tweet suggests that pass rusher returning to join Panthers
The Carolina Panthers made Julius Peppers the second overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft, and he became one of the franchise’s best players over the following eight seasons.
After leaving and playing for two other franchises, it appears that Peppers is bringing his career full circle. Here’s what Peppers’ agent, North Carolina-based Carl Carey, tweeted out Friday:
Headed Home… pic.twitter.com/zXjPCmKMBS
— Carl Carey, PhD (@CarlCareyPhD) March 10, 2017
It had been rumored for weeks that Peppers, 37, could return to the Panthers, a team that needed some pass-rush help, and now it appears that’s happening. He has collected at least seven sacks (7.5 in 2016) for the past nine seasons and 143.5 over his 15 NFL seasons with the Panthers, Chicago Bears and most recently, the Green Bay Packers.
Peppers remains the Panthers’ all-time sack leader with 81 in his time in Carolina, followed by Charles Johnson at 67.5. Peppers and Johnson were teammates in 2007 and 2008 and appear to be reunited again. Set to turn 38 following the 2017 season, Peppers remains an effective player when used properly, even if he no longer impacts games the way he used to on a full-time basis.
Still, remarkably, Peppers last missed a regular-season game in Week 16 of the 2007 season, having played 144 consecutive games — behind only Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back William Gay among active NFL defensive players — in a streak that is currently active.
Peppers was an outside linebacker in the Packers’ 3-4 system but likely will return to being a down lineman in the Panthers’ 4-3 scheme. In the Packers’ playoff victory over the New York Giants, Peppers had a sack, two QB hits and two passes defended.
The Panthers have put a lot of resources in retaining the core of their veteran defensive line, and now they are looking to their past for more help up front, adding a future Hall of Famer who started his career there nearly 15 years ago.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!
