By Mike Cranston
Associated Press
CHARLOTTEó Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney remains confident defensive end Julius Peppers will return to the team next season, even as he’s made public his wishes to play elsewhere.
In a pre-draft interview with reporters Thursday, Hurney said there were no new developments in the stalemate with their four-time Pro Bowl pick. The Panthers placed the franchise tag on Peppers. He has not signed the one-year tender for $16.7 million, however, and has said he won’t sign a long-term deal with Carolina.
If a trade is not worked out, Hurney said he doesn’t believe Peppers would hold out of training camp.
“We’ve known Julius for seven years, and it has been a good seven years,” Hurney said. “I think he knows how we feel, and we feel like he’s been happy here. And again, nothing has changed. We franchised him, and when we did we knew there was a period for the process to take place. When that process goes through then he’s going to be back.”