Julius Peppers is the defensive end for the National Football League’s Carolina Panthers; however speculation is he will be leaving for greener pastures, not the greener football field but the greener type paper in his wallet.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 was national signing day and as of the next day, the Panthers have just two weeks to tag Peppers with a franchise label.  They could pay him $16.683 million and they would retain him for this next upcoming season; however he won’t be a Panther when the season begins because they’ll trade him and that is what he wants.

According to Pro Football News, Julius Peppers will walk on February 26 if the Panthers don’t apply the franchise tag to him.  Peppers is regarded as one of the highest-paid non-quarterback players in the NFL. Many sports writers have declared the Pro Bowl the last time anyone might see Julius Peppers in the Carolina Panthers colors because he is looking for a new team to call home.  Through his agent, Peppers has made it clear he does not want to spend any more time with the team that drafted him in 2002.

The most likely scenario would be that the Carolina Panthers would franchise him and try to trade him. This would allow the Panthers to receive something in return for Peppers.  If Peppers goes into free agency, then the Carolina Panthers will not receive another player for Peppers if he walks.

For what it’s worth, Julius Peppers is an all around sportsman.  Peppers and Donovan McNabb are the only two professional players to play in both the NFL’s Super Bowl and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four. Peppers’ many accomplishments include being named 2002 Defensive Rookie of the Year as an NFL football player in addition to receiving a Lombardi award and the Chuck Bednarik award.