Panthers general manager Marty Hurney says that the team's starting quarterback job is open for competition. Jake Delhomme is coming off a horrible season, but Hurney wouldn't rule out the veteran starting for Matt Moore when the 2010 season starts in September. "It's the end of February and it's way too early to answer that," Hurney said "Everyone knows how we feel about Jake. And Matt came in and played very well at the end of the year. I think that we go through the process and see what happens."

The Bears are intent on signing a pass-rushing defensive end this spring and they have their sights set on Julius Peppers, according to a league source. Aaron Kampman is also believed to be an option for Chicago. Peppers is the team's top target, but he won't come cheap as he was seeking about $40 million guaranteed from the Panthers.

The Carolina Panthers will not use their franchise designation tag upon Julius Peppers, according to a report from ESPN. RealGM Staff Report: Peppers is now free to sign with any team of his choosing. Peppers would have been owed just under $16.7M if the Panthers would have used the tag.

The Panthers have to make a decision on the future of defensive end Julius Peppers by Thursday. NFL teams must decide by Thursday whether to use their franchise or transition tags on their potential unrestricted free agents. Carolina is expected to allow Peppers to test the open market, passing on a potential $20 million tender. Team officials have been silent about Peppers since the season ended.

The Bears do not plan to spend lavishly in free agency this offseason. "We're not going to be one of those handful of teams sometimes that just goes hog wild in free agency," said Bears President Ted Phillips, who said a looming lockout in 2011 didn't affect the budget. "I think you guys know our strategy has always been kind of balanced in free agency and work through the draft and every other area to try to add players to the team. It's not all about free agency. I think the reality that teams' success, at least in the NFL, is not based on how much money you spend in free agency." The Bears are in the market for a pass rusher, but are unlikely to be able to afford a player like Julius Peppers.

Defensive end Julius Peppers and wide receiver Terrell Owens lead the list of unrestricted free agents in the NFL. A complete list of players with at least six seasons in the league and contracts due to expire was posted Thursday by the NFL on NFLLabor.com.

The Panthers have reached an agreement with former Colts defensive tackle Ed Johnson, a source told ESPN's John Clayton. Johnson will bolster Carolina's defensive line.

Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams had surgery Monday to correct foot/ankle problems that caused him to miss the final two games of the season. The procedure was reported by The Herald in South Carolina. He rushed for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games this past season.

Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith would like to see the team add another playmaker on the offensive end. "I've always said a team can never have too many playmakers," Smith told the Carolina Observer. He wants the team to add a speedster to help make Carolina's offense more dynamic. "I would," Smith says. "And I would complement him. I'm 30. I'd love to have a player faster than me."

The Panthers don't plan to use the franchise tag on Julius Peppers for a second straight season, according to a source. Given his compensation in 2009, the rules push the franchise tender for Peppers to $21.8 million for 2010. That annual salary works out to $1.326 million per game.