6 unlikely NFL reunions that actually happened in recent history

Strange NFL Reunion no. 2: Julius Peppers to the Panthers

Very few players in NFL history are as synonymous with the franchise that drafted them than former no. 2 overall pick Julius Peppers.

Peppers played his college ball at UNC before being selected by the Carolina Panthers in 2002, and he probably would have been the top pick overall were it not for the expansion Houston Texans.

Even just saying that, it’s incredible what Peppers was able to accomplish as an NFL edge player in such a long period of time.

His career started the same year as the Houston Texans’ franchise and he’s played in the NFL as recently as 2018.

Peppers spent the first eight years of his Hall of Fame career with the Panthers and didn’t change teams until 2010 when he joined the Chicago Bears.

Peppers spent four seasons with the Bears and did not disappoint. He made three pro bowls, multiple All-Pro teams, and racked up 37.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and three interceptions.

After his stint with the Bears, Peppers joined the Green Bay Packers, and — you will never believe this — he was awesome there as well.

From 2014-16, Peppers racked up 25 sacks and eight forced fumbles for the Packers, also adding a pair of pick-sixes.

By the 2017 offseason, Peppers was 37 years old and could have easily justified hanging up the cleats and would probably be in the Hall of Fame right now.

Instead, he wanted to go back where everything began way back in 2002.

He joined the Carolina Panthers in 2017 and at the age of 37, he had 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 17 QB hits.

He added another five sacks, two forced fumbles, and six passes defensed in the 2018 season, his final in the NFL.

Peppers’ career lasted nearly two decades and his production virtually never waned. He’s one of the great pass rushers of the 21st century and it was so satisfying to see his career end with the Panthers after playing seven seasons with other teams from 2010-2016.