CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 19 (UPI) -- The Carolina Panthers placed their franchise tag on veteran defensive end Julius Peppers Thursday, the Charlotte Observer reported.
The team made the move despite knowing Peppers' desire to play elsewhere next season.
Earlier this week, his agent, Carl Carey, gave Panthers' officials a list of four teams to which Peppers would accept a trade, with Dallas at the top.
"Julius was expecting the franchise tag and we will continue to seek a resolution that is in line with his professional goals," Carey said in a statement.
By franchising Peppers, the Panthers automatically are required to make him a one-year tender offer of $16.683 million, a 20 percent increase over his 2008 salary cap figure.
The 6-foot-7 inch, 283-pounder, a first-round pick by the Panthers out of North Carolina in the 2002 NFL draft, has totaled 70 ½ sacks among 278 tackles in seven seasons.
