"That's not what I said": Julius Peppers issues clarification as media runs away with NFL legend's quotes on Panthers' red flags
NFL Hall of Famer Julius Peppers has clarified his recent comments on the Carolina Panthers. Peppers criticized the Panthers pass rush ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
Peppers played for the Panthers from 2002 until 2009 and then again from 2017 until 2018. He still is often around the team, and Peppers said he thinks the team needs to add more pass rushers.
“Hopefully they add some more guys. But the guys we have now, I think we can work with them,” Peppers said.
After Peppers' comments, many thought he was criticizing the Panthers pass rushers.
"Pep basically said we're cooked, but in a nice way," one fan commented.
However, he says that isn't the case, and instead, he took to social media to clarify his comments.
"I appreciate y’all but that is not what I said. I’m confident they’ll be fine. I’m not in a position to evaluate because I’m not there everyday," Peppers wrote.
The Panthers' top pass rushers are A'Shawn Robinson, Shy Tuttle, and Derrick Brown. However, Carolina has lost the likes of Brian Burns, Frankie Luvu, and Yetur Gross-Matos, who were their top three sack leaders last season.
Shaq Thompson eager to be part of Panthers' new defense
The Carolina Panthers are coming off a horrible season, as they finished last in the NFL with a record of 2-15. Heading into the 2024 season, linebacker Shaq Thompson says he's eager to be part of this new-look defense.
"Honestly, man, this team came together pretty fast," veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson said, via Panthers.com. "There are a lot of guys on the defensive side. There are a lot of guys who have played in this defense before.
"So it's amazing for them to just come over and translate their terminology they had, whether it was the Rams or the Broncos. So that's a blessing. So, everything's been great, you know what I mean?"
Coach Dave Canales says he's also focused on creating a new culture.
"I come into it thinking, am I going to have to set the culture and the environment for every area of this?" Canales said. "And I was ready to, and I was just watching and just trying to see where I can inject energy or focus or work into these different areas."
Carolina will open its 2024 season on the road on Sept. 8 against the New Orleans Saints.