The Carolina Panthers finished a deal that would bring Julius Peppers back to the team where he started his career.
Julius Peppers was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2002 as the number two overall pick where he spent eight seasons wrecking havoc off of the edge. The 37-year-old will, in fact, be entering his 16th season after some uncertainty if he was going to retire at the end of last year.
It seems that veteran defensive end Charles Johnson was a key voice pushing for the Panthers to pursue Peppers in free agency.
"“”From a personal opinion and as a friend of his, I just want to see him retire as a Panther,” Johnson said, via the Charlotte Observer. “I just think him coming back for a year and retiring as a Panther, what better career for him to have, retiring in his home?”"
Charles’ persistence paid off as Peppers’ agent posted a throwback picture on twitter indicating that the two sides got a deal done meaning Peppers will finish out his career in Carolina.
This move, while sentimental, will also bring in a savvy defensive end that can be used in a rotational role. This is a great signing for a team that had five members of their defensive line become free agents this offseason.
Peppers’ 7.5 sacks last year were right up there with Houston’s Whitney Mercilus, Oakland’s Bruce Irvin, and New Orleans’ Cameron Jordan. This is especially important when you realize that in 2016, Carolina was 3–1 in games when they got to the quarterback at least four times, and 3–9 in games when they did not.
Panthers’ fans reacted accordingly on Twitter with plenty of sentimental tweets.
https://twitter.com/phillip_hoyle/status/840261664834478080
Julius Peppers was the first jersey I ever got when I was 10 years old. I am in my feels right now
— RACKS PACIORETTY (@CanesGotNext) March 10, 2017
my first position in football was defensive end bc of Julius Peppers
— Chadwin (@Chadwin_ning) March 10, 2017
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It is truly a great way for the future Hall-of-Famer to go out.