Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers reiterated in a conference call with reporters that he will ask for a trade if the team places the franchise tag on him. "If they decide to use the tag on me the first thing I will be doing is request a trade," said Peppers, who was then asked if he would holdout if the Panthers weren't able to deal him. "Anything after that is basically I don't know," Peppers said. "I don't know what would be the next course of action." Franchising Peppers would cost the Panthers about $17 million.