Julius Peppers rumors: 3 best fits
By Jon Benne
Future Hall of Famer Julius Peppers still has something to offer at 38 years old.
Julius Peppers is one of the greatest pass rushers of his era. He ranks fourth all-time with 154.5 sacks, terrorizing quarterbacks over a 16-year career. Last year, he made his homecoming for the Carolina Panthers, returning to the same team that drafted him in 2002.
Even at 38 years old, Peppers is still a valuable player in limited snaps. He recorded 11 sacks in 2017, playing a vital role as the Panthers rebounded from their poor 2016 to make the playoffs again. Peppers is now a free agent and recovering from labrum surgery, though he should be healthy well in time for training camp.
Peppers still hasn’t decided on whether he’ll come back for another season, but if he does, here are three potentially good fits for the future Hall of Famer.
Three best fits
1. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers still have a need on the defensive line after releasing Charles Johnson. There’s no real reason to let Peppers walk if he wants to keep playing. According to the Charlotte Observer, Peppers only wants to play for the Panthers in 2018. Keeping him around in his rotational role makes a lot of sense for both sides.
2. Oakland Raiders
Jon Gruden isn’t shy about his intentions — he wants to reload and compete. First, he needs to rebuild a defense that’s fallen apart despite having Khalil Mack. The Raiders managed only 31 sacks in 2017, tied for 24th in the NFL. They also routinely got shredded through the air. Peppers would be a useful addition as a veteran leader who can get after the quarterback.
Next: Top 25 Super Bowl performances of all-time
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs faceplanted in a year they were supposed to take a big step forward. One of the biggest reasons for their 4-12 record was the lack of a pass rush. Tampa ranked dead last in the league with 22 sacks, and their line went from bad to worse when Noah Spence went down with a shoulder injury. Bringing in Peppers would help stabilize the unit as the Bucs try to bounce back in a stacked NFC South.