Packers GM: No evidence Julius Peppers has declined
By Mike Dyce
The Chicago Bears were ready to move on from the Julius Peppers era, and he signed with their divisional rivals the Green Bay Packers. At 34-years-old, the Bears thought Peppers’ contract didn’t match his level of play as he entered the twilight of his career, but Packers general manager Ted Thompson saw things differently.
“Well, 34 is not so old,” Thompson said Thursday, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Not for some of us. There’s no evidence of any decline in his play, in our opinion. He still has the same athletic traits that he had coming out. He’s had a remarkable history in the NFL in terms of durability. We’re looking forward to it. I think he is, too.”
In 2013, Peppers recorded 7.5 sacks for the Bears, his lowest total since 2007, so there concern was definitely justified. It might be shocking to see Peppers play-out the entire three year deal with the Packers.