Bears Could Approach DE Julius Peppers About Restructuring His Contract

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes that the Chicago Bears could approach DE Julius Peppers about restructuring his current contract that will pay him a sizable base salary of $12.9 million for the 2013 season.

Peppers currently counts $16.3 million against the team’s salary cap and is under contract for another three season with base salaries of $13.9 million and $16.5 million coming his way in 2014 and 2015.

Defensive tackle Henry Melton is an obvious candidate for the team’s franchise tag, which will cost them $8.3 million. This figure can always be reduced if they’re to agree on a long-term contract extension at some point down the road.

Julius Peppers, 33, recorded his fifth straight Pro-Bowl season and is still playing at a very high level. Renegotiating his current wouldn’t force him to take a pay cut. Instead, these types of adjustments typically convert a player’s base salary into a signing bonus that’s prorated over the remainder of the current deal.

Chicago could also free up some extra cash by re-signing CB Charles Tillman to a multi-year extension.

We should know whether or not the Bears intend address these player’s contracts in the near future, as they’ll have to make a decision regarding their franchise tag by March 4.