The Charlotte Observer reports that Panthers DE Julius Pepper‘s trade wish list has just four teams, and three of them are in the NFC. The Panthers already have ruled out two of the teams, leading the newspaper source to believe those teams are in the NFC South, Carolina’s division.

The Panthers have until Thursday to use their franchise tag on Peppers or OT Jordan Gross.

Gross already has expressed interest in staying with Carolina, leaving the door open to a deal before Thursday’s deadline. The Panthers could franchise tag Peppers and still trade him or receive compensation if he signs elsewhere. Otherwise, Peppers could walk away without the Panthers receiving any compensation, and he could sign with a team in the division. That might leave the Panthers with little choice but to franchise him.

Posted in: Around The Web  | comments  |