Bears to take cap hit on Julius Peppers

Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers will have the largest base salary and cap number on the Bears in 2013, according to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago.

Peppers will make $12.9 million and count $16.38 million against the cap next season. Quarterback Jay Cutler will count $10.37 million against the cap next season which is the second-highest individual figure behind Peppers.

Peppers recorded 39 tackles and 11.5 sacks for the Bears last season and has totaled 30.5 sacks in three years in Chicago.

Peppers signed a six-year, $42 million deal with Chicago in the 2010 offseason and has already restructured his deal once with Chicago in order to reduce the team`s cap hit.

Peppers' cap number will grow to $17.38 million in 2014 and $19.68 in 2015.

The 33-year-old defensive end has 516 tackles, 111.5 sacks, eight interceptions and 37 forced fumbles in 11 NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears.