--The Carolina Panthers have won the staring content with Julius Peppers. But now they'll have to pay up.
Peppers gave up on his wishes to be traded, signing the team's one-year franchise tender of $16.683 million on Wednesday, thus agreeing to play for the team for another season.
Peppers tried to force his way out of Carolina saying he wouldn't play for the Panthers again, but the team slapped the franchise tag on him back in February. When Peppers' agent Carl Carey couldn't negotiate a deal with other clients, Peppers had no choice but to sign the tender or sit out the season.
He chose to sign it.
"I've had positive and productive discussions with the organization," Peppers said in statement. "I am optimistic and focused and look forward to the upcoming NFL season."
Despite Peppers' requests to be traded, the Panthers remained determined they could convince Peppers to play again for them.
"We always go by actions," said Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "We've known Julius for seven years and he's been the same guy for seven years. He's a valuable, important player for us and we haven't seen a change in that."
Carey, who hasn't discussed Peppers contract situation with media in months, told the Charlotte Observer on Wednesday night that Peppers would be open to signing a long-term contract with the team.
The Panthers have a three-week period where they can negotiate a long-term contract with Peppers.
If they can't get a deal done by then, they will have to wait until after the season to attempt to do that.
Peppers would be an unrestricted free agent again next season and the Panthers could choose to place the franchise tag on him again at more than $20 million for the 2010 season.
"It shows he's very happy and comfortable to be here," Hurney said. "He is a very competitive, prideful person that has always, through his actions, shown that likes being a Carolina Panther and likes his teammates."
OFFSEASON STANDOUT
TE Gary Barnidge was a standout during OTAs with backup TE Dante Rosario nursing a back injury. Jeff King is still the starting tight end in Carolina because of his versatility as a run-blocker and a receiver. However, the Panthers believe Barnidge is a guy who can help stretch the middle of the field.
LINEUP WATCH
With Julius Peppers signing his one-year tender, the Panthers have 21 of 22 starters returning from last year's team. Only Ken Lucas, who was cut, is gone. The big question will be what the Panthers do with second-round draft pick Everette Brown. Tyler Brayton returns as the starter on the opposite side of Peppers and Charles Johnson will also figure into the mix.
ROOKIE IMPRESSIONS
If there was one rookie who really turned some heads during OTAs it was Texas A&M running back Mike Goodson, who showed tremendous speed coming out of the backfield. He's still behind DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart on the team's depth chart, but he'll still see action on game day. In fact, the Panthers are working him quite a bit as a slot receiver.
INJURY WATCH
RB Jonathan Stewart and TE Dante Rosario were both held out of OTAs, but will be ready for the start of training camp. Outside of that, the Panthers are healthy.
CONTRACT TO WATCH
Over the next three weeks, the Panthers will look to sign Julius Peppers to long-term contract, a move that would free up some much-needed salary cap room.
However, that would likely mean the Panthers having to make Peppers the highest-paid defensive player in the league and giving him a contract that exceeds the $15 million per year the Oakland Raiders paid to cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and/or the $100 million contract the Washington Redskins gave to defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.
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