Email
Print
Peppers might not return to Panthers
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: January 12, 2009
CHARLOTTE - Defensive end Julius Peppers shrugged off questions about his future Sunday in the aftermath of the Panthers' season-ending 33-13 playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night.
Peppers is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this winter, and he said there have been no talks with the team on a new contract recently.
"I really have not thought about this," Peppers said as the team dispersed after a meeting with Coach John Fox. "I've thought about it, but I really haven't sat down and just weighed all the pros and cons of what could happen and what options they have and I have. It's not really something I wasted time thinking about.
"I was trying to focus everything on winning games. Now's the time to think about it, and when I come down to a decision or they come down to a decision, you'll know about it."
The Panthers have said they would like to sign Peppers to a long-term contract. They could also retain him by putting their "franchise" tag on him, but that would require paying him just less than $17 million next season. If Peppers is intent on signing elsewhere, the Panthers could also work what amounts to a sign and trade.
When asked point-blank if he wanted to come back to the Panthers next season, Peppers dodged the question and seemed to leave open the scenario for a sign and trade.
"Ideally, I want to be in the best situation possible for myself and this organization," he said. "I'm thankful for everything they've done for me, and I don't want to leave them crippled or in a bad situation. I don't want to do that."
Peppers had 141/2 sacks during the regular season and made the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in his career.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Click a region for news specific to that area.
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
Advertisement
