Charles Johnson Says He'll Recruit Julius Peppers After Re-Signing with Panthers

After re-signing with the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday, defensive end Charles Johnson revealed his plan to recruit Julius Peppers back to the organization.

According to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, Johnson said the following when asked if he has spoken to Peppers yet: "I haven't yet, but I'm going to start recruiting him."

The Panthers announced Tuesday that Johnson signed a two-year extension.

Peppers spent the first eight years of his career with the Panthers after getting selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft.

He then went on to play for the Chicago Bears for four seasons and spent each of the past three campaigns as a member of the Green Bay Packers.

Per ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky and Vaughn McClure, Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, said Monday that the 37-year-old veteran intends to play in 2017.

Since 2017 could be Peppers' final season, Johnson believes it's only fitting for him to spend it with the team that drafted him, according to Person: "From a personal opinion and as a friend of his, I just want to see him retire as a Panther. I just think him coming back for a year and retiring as a Panther, what better career for him to have, retiring in his home?"

Peppers is fifth on the all-time sacks list and first among active players with 143.5.

The nine-time Pro Bowler registered 81 of those sacks with the Panthers and is coming off a 2016 season during which he took down opposing quarterbacks 7.5 times. He also isn't far removed from a 10.5-sack season in 2015.

The Panthers ranked second in the NFL last season with 47 sacks, but with defensive coordinator Sean McDermott departing to become head coach of the Buffalo Bills, there may be a transition period for the defense in 2017.

If Carolina does add Peppers to a defensive line that already includes Johnson, Mario Addison, Kawann Short, Star Lotulelei and Kony Ealy, however, it figures to contend for the league lead in sacks once again.