One of the most critical factors for the Carolina Panthers this offseason is whether or not defensive end Julius Peppers returns for one more season.

At 38 years old and already guaranteed a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Peppers doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone, but he no doubt would love to go out on a high note with a Super Bowl win, one of the few things he has not accomplished in the NFL.

There is some news on this front.

According to a report by Scott Fowler at the Charlotte Observer, Peppers does not want to commit yet, but is leaning that way.

. . . a source close to Peppers indicates the star defensive end is leaning toward playing but doesn’t want to commit to it yet.

Peppers showed no signs of slowing down in 2017, totaling 11 sacks despite playing just 50 percent of the team’s snaps on defense.