Adam Schefter: '99.9% Chance' Julius Peppers Won't Be a Patriot

Rumors swirled wildly yesterday that the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots were discussing a trade that would send Julius Peppers to the Pats in exchange for a 34th overall pick, the same one that New England received in exchange for Matt Cassel from the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, NFL Network's Adam Schefter appeared on WEEI's The Dennis & Callahan Morning Show today and strongly refuted the possibility that Peppers could be headed to Boston.

Dennis and Callahan pointed out the obvious problems to the potential deal -- compensation back to the Panthers, inking Peppers to the monster deal he wants, and the possibility of crippling the Pats for a big 2010 group of free agents -- and asked Schefter if there was any likelihood that Peppers could end up as a Pat.

Schefter's response: "That trade is not going to happen ... Julius Peppers will not be a New England Patriot next season ... It won't happen for all of the reasons you mentioned ... "

He went on to mention that there were a ... "couple of technicalities ..." with the main issue being that the "... Carolina Panthers are not allowed to trade ..." Peppers because he hasn't signed his franchise tender yet. True story -- the 'Cats can't move the defensive end until he does sign.

And that becomes a tricky situation, because as soon as Peppers signs the Panthers' tender, it takes all of the trade leverage out of his hands. Which probably led Schefter to answer, when asked "how sure" he was that Peppers wouldn't play with the Panthers, "99.9% sure."

Take whatever you want from it, but my inclination is to lean with Schefter here, and not just because he's right most of the time. Peppers hasn't said he'd be open to playing for New England, and even if he is, the Patriots have to come up with enough compensation to satisfy the Panthers. Right now, I'm not thinking the 34th overall pick qualifies.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-17-2009 @ 3:31PM

soulcitysigma1914 said...

please clarify because the title and the next to last paragraphs make the story confusing. is it 99 percent that he won't be a panther or 99 percent that he won't be a patriot? or both?

3-18-2009 @ 7:54AM

Michael said...

"the Patriots have to come up with enough compensation to satisfy the Panthers. Right now, I'm not thinking the 34th overall pick qualifies."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's pretty narrow thinking. Although I don't think a deal will actually happen, I still don't think the Panthers are in an enviable position and can afford to be too demanding.

Their options are paying Peppers $16 Million dollars for one season or freeing up all that cap space and getting what really amounts to a late 1st round pick for a player who a) Doesn't want to be there and b) Would have been an unrestricted free agent had they not slapped the tag on him.

Bottom line is they would get a 34th pick for just tagging him. Let's not forget that the Panthers have no first round pick this year.

3-18-2009 @ 7:58AM

Besides, I would much rather see the Patriots land Jason Taylor. He could be had for far less and there wouldn't be the uncertainty of him playing a position he's never played before....and he IS a "Belichick"-type player.

Peppers wants to transition to OLB in a 3-4, a position he has never played before. Who knows if he could eve adapt?

3-17-2009 @ 6:12PM

checka624 said...

yea, i read that report and you said that he's 99.9% sure he's not gonna be a patriot,or panther?? so where is he going to go? Im a bit confused, please go back and clarify what you meant. Cus you didnt make much sense.

3-18-2009 @ 6:41PM

99.9% sure he will not be a Patriot is what he's saying. I doubt it too.....but don't expect the Panthers to keep him around for one season at $16 mill.....they have several other needs they can address for $16 big ones.

Since Peppers has yet to sign the deal, the Panthers are handcuffed. They can't sign any free agents because the "tag" is tying up all that money. Once Peppers signs, then they can deal him. However, it is entirely up to Peppers to give up the $16 million if he can work a deal with another team.

If he wants to be a jerk, he'll sign the deal and stay for a year. He's guaranteed that money regardless and the Panthers will have screwed up their future big time by tagging him.

3-17-2009 @ 7:37PM

kadykid320 said...

well my guess is you will be the last to be informed if it does happen,,,someone else will beat you to the scoop,,,thats just the way the braintrust at patriot headqtrs likes it,,give them more incentive to make it happen,,then make sure u dont get the scoop,,,hey jaworski,,be ready for a call from the krafts when they get Peppers,,u will get the scoop

3-18-2009 @ 10:42AM

Mike said...

I'd hate to say it but I feel Peppers will be gone either on draft day or before. Carolina traded away a lot of picks last year and they need to get younger players. Peppers is the cornerstone of the Panthers D and a fan favorite but with his constant talk of wanting out of Carolina I think the brass should just honor his wish. The Defense is getting thin and Delhomme doesn't have many targets to throw to. Go Panthers in 09!

3-18-2009 @ 12:54PM

Paul Arcand said...

Regardless of what happens with Peppers, the Pats have so many options with draft picks and available free agents that the only team in trouble here is the Panthers. Poor draft position and a disgruntled player with a 16 million doller payday. And if a trade does happen, do you believe that the Pats organization would endanger the long term health of the franchise for 1 player.

3-19-2009 @ 12:33PM

I think it's going to be a long season in Carolina. With the Peppers hang up Carolina has no cap room to sign good players like Mark Jones or long time "TEAM" players like Nick Goings who I feel plays un-selfishly he goes out there and plays the postion they put him at.