5 ex-Panthers – living or deceased – we’d love to see play one more time

Carolina Panthers Player No. 2: Julius Peppers (DE)

The dominance of Julius Peppers as one of the NFL’s most prolific defensive ends is only now fully being realized. The player decided to end a glittering career in 2018 that saw him named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s and 2010s. And only Tom Brady can claim this particular honor.

This is a further indication of the sort of talent that Peppers had if anyone was still doubting his Pro Football Hall of Fame credentials. He was nothing short of phenomenal during his two spells with the Carolina Panthers. And he more than lived up to his billing after the organization took him No. 2 overall out of North Carolina back in 2002.

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The three-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler was an absolute nightmare to block. Peppers had a rare blend of size and explosiveness that instantly set him apart. And his durability enabled him to enjoy a fantastic 17-year career in the NFL.

Peppers did spend some time away from the Panthers following moves to the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. But it was only right that the pass-rushing sensation returned to see out his career with the franchise.

In a decade with the organization, Peppers notched 97 sacks, 441 combined tackles, 349 solo tackles, 107 tackles for loss, 89 quarterback hits since 2006, 34 forced fumbles, 50 pass deflections, and seven interceptions.

He is a prime candidate to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer. And we’d love to see him on the field at the peak of his powers one more time.