Panthers DE Julius Peppers Leaning Toward Returning For 2018 Season?

A source close to Panthers DE Julius Peppers indicated to Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer that he’s leaning toward returning for the 2018 season.

Peppers underwent offseason shoulder surgery after playing through an injury for “quite awhile.”

According to Fowler, Peppers won’t play for another team and will either return to the Panthers or retire.

Peppers, 38, is a former first-round pick of the Panthers back in 2002. He played eight seasons for the Panthers before joining the Bears in 2010.

Peppers spent three years with the Packers before returning to the Panthers on a one-year, $3.5 million contract last year.

Peppers is in line to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

In 2017, Peppers appeared in all 16 games for the Panthers and recorded 33 tackles, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles and two recoveries. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 63 edge rusher out of 106 qualifying players.

We have him featured in our Top 100  – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.

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