Heading into the offseason, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy planned “changes” for a defense that ranked 25th in total yards allowed last season and 24th versus the pass. While the Packers’ secondary was depleted without Casey Hayward and their safeties finished without an interception, they didn’t force nearly enough pressure on the quarterback. While Green Bay remained fairly quiet in free agency, the team brought in former Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers over to their 3-4 defense.

But just what can a 34-year-old defensive end who has never played in a 3-4, bring to the Packers defense? After a phenomenal career, Peppers freaky athleticism and his motor have slowed down tremendously, but he still might have a little left in the tank. He played 851 snaps last season, registering just seven sacks and 11 games without a sack. While

Peppers faces a dramatic change to a 3-4 defense, he will be reunited with defensive line coach Mike Trgovac, who worked with Peppers in Carolina. Packers’ defensive coordinator Dom Capers has been looking for more athleticism from the front seven and has found the “elephant” of their defense.

Peppers “elephant” role means he will be used all across the defensive line and at outside linebacker. He will be lined up outside of the tackle in base but will also shift inside in passing situations and provide interior pressure. Peppers will also spend time working with the linebackers, lining up on the opposite side of Clay Matthews and taking advantage of one-on-one blocks. He won’t be asked to drop back into coverage very often, so his snaps during games will be limited.

Green Bay has done a nice job adding depth to their front-seven, with Mike Neal, Datone Jones, Mike Daniels, Nick Perry and Jerel Worthy will all share snaps. Daniels had a breakout year in 2013 with 6.5 sacks before he started to get tired at the end of the year. With more depth along the line, it gives Green Bay the flexibility to rotate guys in and out for certain packages. Capers loves having as much flexibility as possible, also leaving the possibility that Green Bay could draft another defensive linemen early in the draft.

Any fan expecting to see the All-Pro version of Peppers will be left largely disappointed, but people thinking Peppers is too old to contribute are also underestimating what he can still bring. As long as he is moved around on defense and kept fresh, Peppers can still be a productive pass-rusher who benefits from playing alongside guys like Matthews and Daniels. Plus, Peppers adds another veteran presence to the locker room and someone many of the young linemen can learn from.