a one-year contract to return to the Carolina 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. In week 1 of the 2017 NFL season, and Peppers first game back as a member of the Panthers, Peppers recorded a half sack and 2 QB hits in helping the Panthers beat the 49ers by a score of 23-3. In week 2 and in Peppers homecoming game in Charlotte, North Carolina at Bank of America Stadium, Peppers would be the last player to be introduced to the crowd as he came out of the tunnel to a huge standing ovation, excited to be back playing for his home state team, and team that drafted him with the second pick in the 2002 NFL draft. It had been nearly eight years since the Panthers legend had suited up for his home state team in Charlotte, and he was ready to put on a show for the home crowd, and the 37 year old future Hall of Famer did just that, having a great performance by recoding 6 tackles and 2 sacks in helping to shut down the Buffalo Bills running game, and helping to harass Bills QB Tyrod Taylor all game long. It was a special day for North Carolina's prodigal son as he helped the Panthers defeat the Bills by a score of 9-3. After the game Peppers would go on to say that this defense is the best he's ever been a part of. In week 4, Peppers helped the Panthers defeat the New England Patriots 33-30. Peppers had another dominant performance recording 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 QB hits, and nearly had another sack and forced fumble right before halftime as he helped to disrupt Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, (who suffered an ac joint sprain in his left shoulder on one of Peppers sacks, but