By: Taren Vaughan
“If it don’t make dollars, it don’t make sense”. For most professional athletes, one word can determine which team they end up playing for…MONEY. This past Friday, former Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers signed a staggering six year $91.5 million contract with the Chicago Bears. This is a huge loss for the Carolina Panthers organization and fans since Julius Peppers is one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. Along with Peppers, the Chicago Bears acquired running back Chester Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna.
Peppers wasn’t the only player to recently sign a lucrative contract. Safety Kerry Rhodes is headed to the Arizona Cardinals. Rhodes will be starting next season as a replacement for Antrel Rolle. Although Rhodes is leaving his former team, the New York Jets, he had a message for his fans:
“This is New York. This is the team that gave me my first shot. They gave me the big contract. … I’m letting the fans know I do want to be here to end my career as a Jet, but sometimes circumstances happen.”
Relocating to totally different areas of the country, Julius Peppers and Kerry Rhodes will attempt to help their respective teams improve franchise winning records.