Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers is still a force in the NFL after 14 seasons, and he plans to play next season even if the Packers choose to release him, according to Bleacher Reports' Jason Cole.
Peppers is coming off another dominant season, as he recorded 37 combined tackles, 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. The veteran linebacker is currently tied with Panthers defensive end Jared Allen for the most career sacks by an active player in the NFL. Allen is preparing to play in Super Bowl 50 with a broken bone in his foot, and both players sit tied on the top 10 list for players with the most career sacks in the history of the league.
Peppers just turned 36 years old this past January, but he has proven with his play on the field that he can still excel in the NFL. The Packers linebacker, in part, wants to continue to play, as he knows he is currently only six sacks away from passing Michael Strahan, and it would dramatically help his own Hall of Fame chances by adding to his sack total, according to Cole. The former second pick in the 2002 NFL Draft was jokingly recruited by other players at the 2016 Pro Bowl, but he could see plenty of interest from other teams if the Packers decide to release him.
The veteran outside linebacker has one year left on his contract with a base salary of $7 million, which will account for $10.5 million against the cap. It's unknown what the Packers' front office plans are for Peppers this offseason, but some have speculated that the Seattle Seahawks could have interest in the defensive end, according to ESPN. Peppers will be one of the top defensive playmakers to watch this offseason, as the Packers' front office will need to decide if he is worth the cap hit for the production that they believe he will produce.
