Bears bid farewell to Julius Peppers

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Julius Peppers wasn?t a free agent at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday. He now is.

The Bears have terminated Peppers? contract, a six-year, $84 million contract signed by the former Panthers defensive end in 2010.

?We appreciate Julius? contributions to the Bears over the last four years,? G.M. Phil Emery said. ?He was a leader on our defense starting every game since coming to Chicago. His accomplishments over his NFL career place him among the best defensive ends over the past 20 years. The Chicagoland community has benefited greatly from his quiet generosity. We wish him the best.?

Peppers made $53.5 million in four seasons. The move avoids $14 million in total compensation for 2014, along with $16.5 million for 2015.

The second overall pick in the 2002 draft instantly becomes a free agent. It?s unlikely that he?ll be offered anything close to $14 million for 2014.

 

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Miles Austin out in Dallas


Defensive end DeMarcus Ware wasn?t the only longtime member of the Cowboys to part ways with the franchise on Tuesday.

Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News reports that wide receiver Miles Austin will also be dropped from the roster. The move will save the Cowboys $5.5 million under the salary cap, but those savings will not come into effect until after June 1 because Austin has been designated as a post-June 1 cut.

Austin?s departure has been expected for some time as he has found it difficult to remain healthy enough to stay on the field because of hamstring injuries. His production hit a new low in 2013 with just 24 catches and 244 yards in 11 games despite the presence of Dez Bryant and Jason Witten to keep defenses from keying on Austin.

Terrence Williams filled some of the void left by Austin with 44 catches for 736 yards in his rookie season. He?s likely to move up to the No. 2 receiver spot unless the Cowboys make an unexpected addition to the top end of the receiving corps.

Austin turns 30 in three months and he?s probably going to have to take something at or near the veteran?s minimum for the 2014 season to show that he?s still capable of both being productive and staying on the field.