Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

My former colleague Tom Sorensen reported today the Panthers have an offer on the table that would make Julius Peppers one of the league's top-paid defensive players.

That's very interesting and it can be interpreted to mean a lot of different things. My gut tells me that the Panthers must be very sure that what ever troubled Peppers last season is in the past if they're willing to make a big offer. I'm also thinking the Panthers would like to have this issue, which has been dragging on for about two years, resolved before the season gets too far along and Peppers contract becomes a distraction.

But you also wonder if it makes a lot of sense to invest a lot in Peppers before he proves he's put last year's disappointing 2.5-sack season behind him.  It might be wise for the Panthers to wait and see some production from Peppers.

It also might be wise for Peppers to wait. If he can go out and register double-digit sacks and be the player he used to be, he might be able to get a deal better than the current offer.