Steve Smith and Julius Peppers Available for Trade: Browns Fit?
Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (90) against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Bears 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Peppers has been a genetic freak for a long long time since also coming in the league with the Panthers. At this point the 34 year old Peppers is on his last legs. He totaled double digit sack numbers 2 of the last 3 seasons but fell down to 7.5 last year. He has rarely struggled with injuries playing in all 16 games 10 of his 12 seasons, playing 12 his rookie year and 14 in 2007. The Bears are looking to upgrade their defense and dealing Peppers doesn’t make sense, except his cap number. This year he will be using a little over $18 million of the Bears cap space. Trading him allows them to get a little over a half of that space back, but they also lose Peppers.
For the Browns Peppers would be an interesting fit. He could rotate in the creative defense it seems Pettine wants to play. Peppers as a 3-4 end could secure the edge with his length against the run and provide another pass rusher on the field. His contract is huge with another year on it after this one. The Browns would have to restructure that deal to make any type of move for Peppers. The Bears, with their defensive limitations also may not be as willing to give away Peppers even with his huge sack number. A 5th and 7th round pick, either in this draft or next year’s draft, may be what it takes.
Would you take on either player for the Browns? How do you think they would fit? Do you like the idea of adding a short term high priced veteran to this young team to bridge the gap or do you want to only add young or in their prime players?