Peppers and the Panthers Chess Match.

Thursday promises to be one of the most dramatic days in the history of the Carolina Panthers, a franchise that has had lots of drama in its brief existence. By the end of the day, the Panthers probably will agree to a massive, long-term contract with offensive tackle Jordan Gross. The Panthers have been negotiating feverishly with Gross and all indications are a deal is close and it will average around $9 million a year.
It's also very likely that the Panthers will place the franchise tag on defensive end Julius Peppers, who has made it very clear he doesn't want to stay in Carolina and has given the team a list of four other teams he'd like to be traded to. It seems like the Panthers don't have much choice here. They almost have to franchise Peppers and turn around and trade him for whatever they can get, presumably a first-round draft pick and more.
But let's just think outside the box here and ponder one other scenario: Could the Panthers just let Peppers walk into free agency?It doesn't seem likely because the Panthers would at least like to get something for a guy who clearly has some value. But Peppers, and whoever is pulling his strings, has created a major headache for the franchise and this situation isn't going to end pleasantly, no matter how it plays out.