I don't think GB let Peppers go. The rumor was that GB was interested in having him back, but he wanted to go home. He was born and raised in North Carolina, went to college in North Carolins and spent the first 8 years of his pro career there. He made no visits in FA, and signed the first day he could with the Panthers'

Peppers stated that while he was away from his home state of North Carolina and his home state team, and team that drafted him, the Carolina Panthers, he realized how much he missed the place saying "home is where the heart is." He also said he always wanted to return to the Panthers and repair the relationships with the team and fans and give them another chance to see him wear the Panthers uniform once again. Peppers was given the jersey #90, which was the same number he wore for the first eight years of his career while playing for the Carolina Panthers