Julius Peppers, Carolina Panthers Facing Money Issues—Or Are They?

If money talks, Julius Peppers is at a loss for words.

Peppers is one of the premier defensive ends in the NFL and is seeking an unprecedented $20.1 million salary for 2010, and possibly a long-term deal. On the other side of the token, Peppers claims that he doesn't want to be locked into a multi-year deal with the team that drafted him and may be looking for a new place to call home in 2010.

An eight year veteran, Peppers has spent nearly a decade in Carolina and has made a living of making quarterbacks cringe as they bark out their calls.

Peppers has dropped signal-callers 81 times in his tenure as a Panther, and he wants to be rewarded for it with one heck of a contract.

It's been rumored that the New England Patriots are interested in the grizzled veteran, but Peppers wants to stay, and presumably finish his career where it started.

He's expressed no interest in leaving, but then retracts his statement in other interviews/articles. By all accounts, it's just a back-and-forth ongoing battle between Peppers and his employer.

The 30-year-old, five-time Pro Bowler has accomplished what many could only dream of doing in an NFL career. He was 2002's Defensive Rookie of the Year (second overall pick, '02) and was voted to the league's All-Decade team. Peppers was named first team All-Pro twice and to the second team twice.

As the rumor mill continues to manufacture speculation in where Peppers could likely end up, a well known Carolina beat writer estimates his chances of remaining a Panther at a meager 40 percent.

Is it possible that Peppers could wind up replacing the departed Richard Seymour in Beantown? Seymour split for Oakland last year, and Peppers would fit like a glove within the Patriot defense. There's reason to entertain that notion, but no water for it to float on just yet.

The 290 pound DE may have lost a step or two and he's aging. What would entice Panthers management to make Peppers an even richer man? Keep in mind, he played last season for the bargain-basement price of just $16.7 million, does Carolina want to continue to break the bank for a veteran who's perhaps on his way out?

His numbers could keep him in black, silver, and teal, that's what. Peppers has 10 or more sacks in six of his eight years as a pro. He bounced back from a disappointing season in 2007 (2.5 sacks) to rebound in a beastly manner in 2008 with 14.5 sacks—how's that for a comeback? 

It is within the realm of possibility that Peppers could end up in the NFL's elite all time-sack leader list, cracking the top 20 in just two more years—he's only 23 sacks away from No. 20 Neil Smith (104).

Last year Peppers anchored the Carolina "D," with 10.5 sacks, a touchdown, and two interceptions. What else could he do to earn his paycheck?

Is the Panthers organization already shopping Peppers' replacement? UConn's 6'4" 283 pound Lindsey Witten could likely be his suitor, a projected sixth round draft pick for the cats.

Will Peppers stay put?

The answer could be entwined in talks regarding the all-mighty dollar for a couple of weeks. The Panthers have until Feb. 25 to brand Peppers with the franchise tag.