Julius Peppers doesn’t want history to repeat itself for the Carolina Panthers, especially since he has been in this situation before.
The newly-minted Pro Football Hall of Famer, who was also a top pass rusher for Carolina back in the day, spoke to local reporters on a Zoom call a few days ago and advised the team to keep Brian Burns this summer.
“As far as his game, I think he’s one of the best,” said Peppers via Kassidy Hill. He has all the tools, and he has all the talent. I hope we’re able to keep him. I hope he stays. I hope we’ll be able to keep him around for a long time.”
What happened between Julius Peppers and the Carolina Panthers before?
Julius Peppers spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers. When he was a free agent in 2010, the Wilson, North Carolina native wanted to stay for at least one more season, but the Carolina Panthers didn’t give him a new extension or the franchise tag, leaving him an unrestricted free agent to pursue a contract with another team.
And then on March 5, 2010, the 2002 NFL Defensive Rookie Year got the much-deserved bag that he wanted, a six-year contract worth $91.5 million, with $42 million guaranteed in the first three years, courtesy of the Chicago Bears.
After playing for the Chicago Bears for four seasons, Peppers spent three years with the Green Bay Packers before ending his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers.
In his 17-year NFL career, Julius Peppers amassed 719 total tackles, 159.5 sacks, 82 pass deflections, 11 interceptions, 52 forced fumbles, and six defensive touchdowns.
The Carolina Panthers are likely to assign Brian Burns the franchise tag
In 2023, Brian Burns recorded 50 combined tackles (32 solo), eight sacks, two passes defended, and one forced fumble, which is considered a down year by his lofty standards, and he wants to be among the league’s highest-paid edge rushers.
If the Carolina Panthers give Brian Burns the franchise tag, the 25-year-old linebacker is going to earn around $23 million, which is lower than what he wants annually on a long-term deal. This should give both sides more time to negotiate for a new extension.