The biggest free agent acquisition of the 2010 free agency period has been taken care of. On Friday, former Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers signed a whopping 6 year, $91.5 million dollar contract with the Chicago Bears. $42 million is guaranteed and $20 million will be paid to Peppers in the first year. Wow.

Now before we look to the future we cannot forget the past. Since coming into the league in 2002 Peppers has been a perenial All Pro and 5 time Pro Bowl selection. Hes 6'7, close to 300 pounds, and is a monstrous presence on the field. He has had double digit sacks almost every year of his career and he can take over football games by himself. The accolades seem to never end.

Upon closer observation however Peppers does not seem like a 92 million dollar investment. Hes 30 years old and we know that 30 seems to be the age when players decline, especially in todays ruthless NFL. The Chicago Bears are a team desperate for success. Since their Super Bowl 41 loss to the Indianapolis Colts they have yet to return to the playoffs. It appears that 2010 is do-or-die for Lovie Smith and his coaching staff and they think Julius Peppers is key to their success this upcoming season. Is signing Peppers really the answer though? We are talking about a guy who is not known for his run stopping abilites and he seems to not only take plays off, but games as well. He was playing for a new contract this past season yet members of the Carolina Panthers coaching staff openly questioned his desire and heart. If Peppers had trouble motivating himself before he recieved a big payday how will he do it after he recieved 42 million dollars guaranteed? Theres a reason Peppers is not mentioned with the upper elite pass rushers in todays NFL. Dwight Freeney, Jared Allen, and DeMarcus Ware are the top 3 pass rushers in football and Peppers does not deserve to take place in their company, yet his contract would make you believe he was the best in the business.

The cardinal sin of free agency is to pay a player for what he has done in the past rather then what he will accomplish in the future. The Chicago Bears have alot of holes on their team but is getting a headcase like Pepppers what they really needed? Does anyone really expect him to be the dominant force he is percieved to be in 2 or 3 years? His production can easily decline but those checks will still be coming in and that signing bonus will remain just as sweet.

Peppers made it very clear that he was chasing the dollar this offseason. Its fine for a player to want a big payday, thats the goal of being a professional athlete. Congratulate Peppers on his deal but question the Bears and their decision to throw the bank at him. The Bears big move of 2009 included a quarterback who led the league in interceptions this past season. Their 2010 acquistion will face equal amounts of pressure in the Windy City, but how motivated will he be to live up to that contract? My money says 92 million dollars could have gone elsewhere.